Women in Iran have long struggled with the suffocating restrictions the government imposes on women in social and professional settings, and the sporting world is no different. Although Iran has national women’s teams for sports such as soccer, taekwondo, chess, and track and field, some women are finding it increasingly difficult to fulfill their aspirations of becoming professional athletes. In December 2007, then-Vice President of the Iranian Olympic Committee, Abdolreza Savar issued a memorandum to all Iranian sports federations outlining the “proper behavior of male and female athletes.” The memorandum stipulated several strict rules, from requiring women trainers for all women athletes to banning women from sporting events that include male spectators who are not family members. Additionally, it outlined rules for women’s clothes, banning them from participating in sports that require the removal of their hijab or wearing Lycra and other tight-fitting material at sporting events. The memorandum stated that those who fail to adhere to the “Islamic rules” it set forth during local and international competitions would face severe punishment and a permanent ban from participating in any sporting events thereafter. Despite these harsh laws, some women managed…
Husband Prevents Top Iranian Soccer Player From Competing Abroad
September 22, 2015
