Iran fears losing World Cup for banning women from football

MADRID, March 30. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The Iranian Football Federation (FFI) acknowledged its responsibility on Wednesday and apologized after the women were unable to enter the match in Iran-Lebanon on Tuesday, and were also repelled outside with charges and pepper spray.

The FFI fears a possible sanction from FIFA, the body that governs world football that has been pressuring Iran for several years so that women can access the stadiums. At Mashad’s Imam Reza Stadium, women with tickets were left out and further reduced in their street protest.

The Federation regretted what happened in a statement on its official website, although it explained that there was also a problem with false entries. “The Federation has already shown its readiness and willingness to support the entry of women into the stadiums in various national and international club competitions,” she says.

Iran has the ticket for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which takes place between November and December of this year, since last January 27, when it beat Iraq (1-0), in the qualifying phase of the Asian Confederation.