Iran’s Chief Prosecutor Opposes Women’s Presence in Football Stadiums

Iran’s Chief Prosecutor has opposed women’s presence in football stadiums, stating that FIFA does not care about Iranian women.

MohammadJafar Montazeri, who was speaking on Wednesday, August 7, at Khwarazmi University, described FIFA’s request for women to attend football stadiums as an example of “enemy infiltration” and said the goal of infiltration is to eliminate “resistance”.

He emphasized that FIFA’s discussion about allowing women into stadiums should not be taken “lightly” and sarcastically asked, “Do they care so much that women should not be deprived of the blessing of watching football?”

Montazeri also stated: “What business does FIFA have in determining that in a country where 10, 50, thousands or five thousand spectators go to watch football, some of them must necessarily be women?”

In recent days, news was released that the world football federation has set a deadline for Iran until September 1 this year to resolve the issue of women’s entry into stadiums.

FIFA has threatened that if conditions are not created for free women’s entry into stadiums to watch domestic and international matches, Iranian football will face gradual punitive measures and ultimately suspension.

FIFA has also emphasized to federations that interference by political bodies of a country in football matters can result in suspension of football teams from international competitions.

Leila Joneidi, legal advisor to Iran’s president, said regarding FIFA’s deadline that “the government supports women’s presence in stadiums and there is no legal prohibition on this matter”.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Davarzani, deputy sports minister of Iran, stated: “We are not very convinced about women’s presence at Premier League matches and the conditions are not suitable for the league”.

Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, a Shia source of emulation in Qom, has also called for women not to be present in stadiums.

Montazeri in his Wednesday speech also mentioned the “2030 Agenda” as another example of “enemy infiltration” and said “we see the effects and footprints of the 2030 Agenda in various sectors”.

The implementation of this educational document, which is among the programs proposed by the United Nations, was halted in February 2017 with the objection and intervention of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Despite the non-implementation of this document in Iran’s education system, the leader of the Islamic Republic has repeatedly warned about the 2030 Agenda over the past two years.

Iran’s Chief Prosecutor cited photographs and books from this year’s book exhibition which, according to him, contained “deviating content” and “sexual education for children” as consequences of implementing the 2030 Agenda.

When asked by a student on the sidelines of this speech about the arrest of Akbar Tabari, former executive deputy of the previous head of the judiciary, he said: “We were aware of the general aspects of his dealings and when more distinctive signs and symptoms were obtained”.

Iran’s Chief Prosecutor added: “Anyone who is a party to this matter will be dealt with and we have no red lines in dealing with individuals”.

These remarks come after allegations were raised against Akbar Tabari, when Sadegh Larijani’s office issued a statement saying some of the allegations made about Tabari “were previously investigated in the prosecution and their falsity was confirmed” and Sadegh Larijani during his time in the judiciary “independently investigated them himself and their inconsistency was confirmed for him”.

Source: Radio Farda