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| Simin Sabri |
Political activist and human rights defender Simin Sabri, in an interview with Voice of America, stated that demanding Iranian women's right to enter stadiums is not just about watching football matches—it is a matter of equal citizenship rights.
Women in the Islamic Republic of Iran were first allowed to enter stadiums in October 2019, following pressure from FIFA. After the Mashhad incident, FIFA requested an explanation from Iranian officials, who claimed that the events had unfolded uncontrollably.
According to Simin Sabri, this is not the first time Iran has failed to honor its international commitments.
"Iran constantly violates the international conventions it has signed and enacts laws that completely contradict them. For example, it has signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child, yet it promotes child marriage," she stated.
Sabri emphasized that the issue of stadium access is not just about watching a match but is crucial in terms of equal citizenship rights:
"This is not just about going somewhere to watch a game. It is about citizenship rights. The taxes women pay also contribute to the construction, maintenance, and organization of these stadiums. As half of the population, women have rights. A stadium is a public space, not a private one. That means the state has no right to discriminate, allowing some to enter while denying others based on their gender, religion, or social class. Fundamentally, what matters to us is that all citizens should be treated equally before the law."
According to Sabri, what truly matters is equal citizenship rights. The specific rights that individuals prioritize may differ.
"For one woman, the right to enter a stadium may be a priority. For another, it could be the right to ride a bicycle freely in the streets. Another woman may prioritize the right to remove her hijab, while for someone else, it could be the right to education in her mother tongue. These are different issues. What is essential is equal citizenship rights," she added.
Sabri also highlighted the role of Tractor club supporters in protesting the stadium ban on women in Iran, stating, "I have always followed with pride how Tractor fans have consistently voiced this issue loudly."
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Simin Səbri: Traktor tərəfdarlarının İranda qadınların stadiona giriş yasağına etirazı qürurvericidir