Prevention of Iranian Woman Activist with Banner from Entering Kazan Stadium

Less than a week after FIFA granted permission for banners supporting the rights of Iranian women, a women’s rights activist reported that on Wednesday she faced a blockade by stadium security at Kazan, where the match between Iran and Spain was held. Reuters reported on Wednesday night, June 30, quoting Maryam Qashqai Shajai, a women’s rights activist, that she was prevented from entering Kazan Stadium with her banner and that security officials confiscated her banner. According to Ms. Shajai, despite the stadium officials having seen her permit to support the entry of Iranian women into sports stadiums, they confiscated her banner and prevented her entry for 'two hours'. Last week, following the opening of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, FIFA announced that the banners displayed by spectators during the Iran vs. Morocco match, aimed at supporting the rights of Iranian women, had received prior approval from FIFA before the World Cup began. FIFA argued that since these writings are not political and their purpose is to 'express a social demand', there is no prohibition against them. FIFA's rules prohibit the expression of political views during matches, but not the announcement of social demands. This was considered a victory for Iranian women activists and could have been a step towards allowing women to enter stadiums in Iran. However, now Maryam Qashqai Shajai states that despite having permission, she was prevented from entering Kazan Stadium. In a phone conversation with the Thomson Reuters Foundation reported by Reuters, she said: 'I showed them my permit. They searched me, detained me for two hours, and took my banner.' In response to this news, a spokesperson for the local organizing committee of the World Cup stated that they are aware of 'an issue related to Shajai', but are not informed of the details. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for FIFA also announced that the organization, like the local World Cup committee, is investigating this matter. Since the 1979 revolution, women have been banned from entering stadiums in Iran to watch matches, and FIFA has always been in contact with the Iranian authorities to lift this restriction. The ban on women's presence in stadiums has even led several Asian and global federations, including volleyball, to warn Iran that if women are excluded from stadiums, Iran will face sanctions. From Kazan Stadium to Kazan Hospital. In another football-related news, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday night after the match between Iran and Spain that one of the staff members of the Iranian national team was taken to the hospital. The news agency quoted Carlos Queiroz, the coach of the Iranian national team, saying that this team member was upset after the only goal scored by Iran was disallowed by the referee, and thus was transferred to the hospital. Saeed Ezatollahi, a midfielder for the Iranian national team, managed to score against Spain, but this goal was ruled offside. According to Carlos Queiroz, this unnamed team member was upset due to the referee's decision. The match between the Iranian and Spanish national teams ended with a score of one to zero in favor of Spain. Thus, the Iranian team, with one win and one loss, will play against Portugal next Tuesday. The 2018 World Cup in Russia is being held in 11 cities and will continue until July 15, less than a month away.