FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees optimistic outcomes from the worldwide governing physique’s strategy to participating with Iran relating to the therapy of ladies in soccer, particularly following the admission of some girls into the Tehran derby Thursday.
Women’s rights campaigners, Open Stadiums, and one other group of former Iranian athletes final yr known as on FIFA to ban Iran from the World Cup because of the continued exclusion of ladies from soccer matches.
Infantino has as an alternative favored a coverage of private engagement with the Islamic Republic and welcomed the news that ladies had been allowed into Thursday’s Iran Pro League match as an indication of its success.
“In September, I had the pleasure of meeting Iran President Ebrahim Raisi in New York City, where we discussed the development of women’s football in the country and progress made regarding the presence of women in football stadiums,” he mentioned in a press release launched on social media.
“It was, subsequently, with nice delight that I realized round 3,000 girls attended the Tehran derby between Persepolis FC and Esteghlal FC at the moment.
“Thanks to the ongoing dialogue between FIFA and the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation, progress is being made.”
Under stress from Infantino, a small group of feminine followers had been granted entry to Persepolis’s residence leg of the 2018 Asian Champions League remaining in Tehran.
There has been minimal progress since, with feminine followers barred from coming into Iran’s World Cup qualifying recreation in opposition to Lebanon in Mashhad in March 2022, after which video emerged of feminine supporters being pepper-sprayed exterior the stadium.
The calls to ban Iran from the World Cup got here in opposition to the backdrop of mass protests throughout the nation within the wake of the loss of life of Mahsa Amini whereas she was within the custody of the morality police for allegedly violating the spiritual gown code.
Infantino mentioned he could be touring to Iran within the close to future and would once more meet President Raisi “to further discuss football-related matters.”
“Iran is a significant force in Asian football, and it is important that we continue to nurture the positive and fruitful working relationship we have built,” the Swiss added.
Source: www.dailysabah.com