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Allowing women into football stadiums under the current environment isn’t desirable.

After the conclusion of the weekly Council of Ministers meeting, Mahmoud Vaezi, the Director of the Iranian President's Office stated in a press briefing, indicates that the government has not given the green light for women attendance in stadiums and the matter is still under review. This comes after what is believed was an assurance by FFIRA to FIFA that women will be allowed in Team Melli matches in the near future.

With the latest development, it seems that Iran’s football federation FFIRI which in practice has no control or authority in the decision making about the issue of women attending, and FIFA the world governing body , will reach a flashpoint. It is feared that FIFA will sanction Iran and Team Melli will be victimized.

Mahmoud Vaezi, said in his briefing “In the last few months, we have been having a lot of discussions in the council about the subject of allowing women in stadiums. We firmly believe that if the stadiums were safe and suitable for women, we don't mind their presence, however with the current situation and atmosphere where that fans trade insults, use profanities, engage in fighting and throw dangerous articles at each other, the presence of women in the stadium is not practical and also dangerous. The Director of the President's office said minister concerned was instructed to speak to the leaders of the teams to facilitate the creation of a clean environment and space for women to be present, as well as a suitable exclusive area for women to enter without being subjected to hardship. If the atmosphere at the stadium is ethical and appropriate, in our opinion, the presence of women in the stadiums will not be an issue.

Mahmoud Vaezi is the de facto spokesperson of President Hassan Rouhani. It is safe to assume that he is speaking on behalf of the President. Although his statement to the press sounded rational what he failed to mention was that the onus is on the government to provide the right atmosphere for women and not for Minister of Sport to ask the Leaders of Esteghlal and Persepolis to do that. This sounds quite comical and superficial.

The issue of women entering stadiums is not even in the full control of the government as the final decision on such matters is in the hand of the Grand Ayatollah who views women mixing with men in public places as a great sin.

There is no guarantee that Rouhani’s government decision will not be reversed by Khamenaei in this matter.

It is true that the atmosphere in the Iranian stadiums is toxic. Attending a football match in Azadi is a challenge for every human being especially in big games. It is a combination of chaos, disorganization, safety risks such as accident, stampede, flying objects, fireworks and stones throwing not to mention the logistics. Interestingly enough, carrying a genuine match ticket does not guarantee you getting your seat or even entering the stadium in the first place!.

Although much of these issues are due to the behaviour of the fans and lack of respect for the law, the organizers have a lion share of the blame too. Responsibilities seemed to be vague at times, exercising authority ultimately seem to be the domain of security forces rather than administrators or organizers.

Nothing seems to work flawlessly in Azadi as incompetence is rife.  Iran is probably the only country in the world and member of FIFA that never actually publishes an official attendance figure, for the simple reason of lack of control. They simply cannot count how many people pass through the turnstiles, or maybe they do not publish attendance figures on purpose to hide the number of unlawful entries.

As a person who experienced such hardships in Azadi Stadium, I can very much empathize with the government view and its objective to protect women from some beasts and possible catastrophe. The government concern is genuine and it is not based on religious ideologue.   The government, however, cannot escape responsibilities as it needs to sort its own house. It is the government responsibility to provide safe and sound space for women.

The social and cultural issues in the stadiums cannot be different than what exists in the streets or the bazar where men and women mix all the time and there is no restriction

Concerns are high for Omid Team prospects.

Apart from the Football Federation and in particular, its president Mehdi Taj, everyone that has insight and knowledge of Iranian football believes that the appointment of a rookie as the coach of Omid Team (U23) is a big mistake.

Farhad Majidi has been put into an unenviable position and given the task of qualifying for the Men’s football Olympic tournament after more than 40 years of absence. Coaches much more experienced and qualified than Majidi have failed to take Iran to what looks like an unattainable dream and some kind of a spell.

 While many prominent and experienced domestic coaches turned down the job, Majidi took upon himself to promise success in qualification but without much thought or results in the field.

Omid Team, which is considered the backbone and the near future of Team Melli, under head coach Farhad Majidi has been performing dismally and the result of the recent friendly games (1-0 and 4-1 defeats against Uzbekistan) raises an alarm bell that many have expected and forecasted the minute Majidi was appointed.

Mansour Rashidi, the famous Team Melli goalkeeper is yet another ex-player who raised doubts on the Omid team recently. Rashidi told Mehr sports reporter: "I am not familiar with the Omid Team players except for one or two and admittedly I am not close to the team to know them inside out. I didn't watch any of the recent friendly games with Uzbekistan either, but the results of those two preparations matches were not serving Iranian football's reputation. " The former coach of Iran's Omid team continued “This team is the backbone of Team Melli and much more efforts are needs to be taken into Temporary Email consideration to develop it.  It seems the level of attention, priority and care for Omid team is low.”

He added: “Farhad Majidi is one of the Iran football upcoming prospects and I am confident that he will have a bright future in coaching. But coaching Omid Team at this stage of his career was far too early for him. This team needs much more experienced and qualified coaches.  The last time Iran qualified to the Olympics was  Montreal Olympics 1976 and I was honoured to be a member of that Olympic team " our former national footballer said.

“We never imagined at the time that qualifying to the Olympics would be an unattainable dream for Iranian football”. Rashidi said: "Although the results of the preparatory games are a blow and a disappointment for Iranian football, I really hope the team can break the spell of half a century of not qualifying for the Olympics and take Iranian football out of this misery and pity."

In order to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic games, Iran must achieve one of the top three ranks in the upcoming Asian U23 Championship in Thailand. Iran did not even qualify directly as the achieved qualification as one of the best second teams.

Sahar Khodayari succumbs to her burns, Esteghlal Club issues a condolance.

A lady football fan has died after setting herself on fire while facing a possible jail sentence for watching a game of football 'illegally' (...)  in Iran. This is a fact and not fiction.

Sahar Khodayari, a passionate Esteghlal Club supporter from her childhood was detained after she was caught trying to enter Azadi stadium while disguised as a man.

Women in Iran are banned from watching men play football in stadiums, despite the fact that there are no Koranic verses to support such act and it also is violates FIFA’s constitution.

The sports complex is known as the Azadi stadium. translated into freedom or liberty. The 29-year-old was held in jail for three days before being released on bail. On 2 September a Tehran court told her that she could be tried by a Revolutionary Court and face up to six months in prison for the most innocent of activities, which is carried out by millions of people all around the world, even in Saudi Arabia!.

After hearing the news, Sahar doused herself in petrol outside the court.

She suffered 90 per cent burns across her body.

The 29-year-old died on Monday, according to the semi-official Shafaghna news agency.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, had warned the Islamic Republic to allow women in stadiums or face sanctions, in remarks made in June. The 29-year-old has become known as “the blue girl” online, for the colour associated with Esteghlal, her favourite football team.

Her preferred disguise for watching matches was a blue wig and long overcoat, which also contributed to the nickname. Her sister told local media in Iran that Ms Khodyari had bipolar disorder and that her time in prison, before being released on bail, had led to her mental health deteriorating. Courts in Iran do not seem to understand, appreciate or sympathise with such conditions as the rest of the civilized world.

“What happened to Sahar Khodayari is heartbreaking,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research and Advocacy Director. “Her only ‘crime’ was being a woman in a country where women face discrimination that is entrenched in law and plays out in the most horrific ways imaginable in every area of their lives, even sports.”

Masoud Shojaei, the captain of Team Melli, paid tribute to the fan on Instagram. “As we are shocked by old limitations set for women, the future generations will be astonished to [find out] that women were banned from entering sports arenas in our time,” he said, according to Radio Farda.

Esteghlal has issued the following statement, offering condolences to Ms Khodayari’s family.

"to the revered Khodayari's family : The tragic and sorrowful demise of your beloved daughter, Sahar Khodayari, caused great grief in Esteghlal Club, especially within the supporters of the team. We extend our sincere condolences to you and to all your relatives who are suffering, and we ask God the Almighty for his mercy and patience to the family , friends and relatives. We pray for the well being of the survivors and the fans of football."

Andranik Teymourian, a former Esteghlal player, said in a tweet that one of Tehran’s major football stadiums should be named after Ms Khodayari.

Indeed it is a sad day when a person loses her life for fear of prosecution for doing nothing more innocent than attending a football match. It gives Iran as a country and a regime a very bad name all across the world when the country is in a dire need of a good reputation and some friends.

The death of Sahar comes only a few days after an Iranian athlete was ordered to forfeit a match just in case of the possibility of meeting an Israeli opponent.

World body to sanction Iranian judo federation as Saeid Mollaei says his family was threatened by the government to pressure him to avoid facing Israel’s Sagi Muki. Mollaei has since requested asylum in Germany after his family received veiled threats by the security apparatus of the regime. The judo champion and star said he is afraid to return home after exposing and criticizing his government’s pressure on him to deliberately lose in last week’s World Championships in Tokyo to avoid a potential bout against an Israeli opponent.

Team Melli starts with a comfortable win vs Hong Kong.

Team Melli defeated host Hong Kong 2-0 in its first match of Group C in the Qualifying rounds of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers China 2023. The match played in front of 14,000 cheering fans at Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po was marred by political protest including jeers while playing the anthem.

The goals were scored by Sardar Azmoun and Karim Ansarifard.

In hot and humid conditions which were interrupted in both halves for a minute compulsory cooling break, Team Melli had main challenge seemed to be the weather conditions rather than the strength of the opposition. Hong Kong which came into the match with one point from a draw in the first round against Cambodia was no match for Iran

In the first, with the majority of ball possession, Team Melli went into the lead at the 23rd minute when Ansaifard tees the ball for Azmoun to volley into the far corner of Hong Kong keeper. The goal was a result of some fine work initiated by Ramin Rezaeian on the right-wing.

Karim Ansarifard could have scored a spectacular goal himself when he hit a powerful scissors kick that ricocheted off the bar with the keeper helpless.

In the second half, Team Melli continued where they left off with even more possession and a barrage of corners. The result was another goal scored by Karim Ansarifard once again thanks to some fine work and cross by Rezaian from the right flank. As time was passing, the packed defences of the host and the instance of Team Melli to penetrate a pretty packed box did not lead to an increase in the tally.

Team Melli could not add to the score further despite several good opportunities were created including a late Sardar Azmoun attempt that the Hong Kong Keeper saved well.

The Hong Kong players resorted to some rough play with the Japanese referee showing 4 of the host players a yellow card. It could have been many more thant that.

In general it was a comfortable win by Team Melli with minimal effort. The weather was a factor in less than optimum performance and true attacking football. Despite the shy Hong Kong offensive attempts, the Iranian defence was solid as they turned Beiranvand role into a spectator in the majority of game time.

There were some shortfalls in Team Melli performance that Marc Wilmots will definitely address in the next few weeks. The major issue is the failure to take advantage of dead-ball situations. Despite double figures of corners, none of them created any serious scoring chances as the host defenders and the keeper had little difficulties in defending them. There were no variations in the corner kicks, and no attempt to use wide player plus the ball delivery was of low quality, that is until Dejagah was substituted in late in the match and took the corners much better.

The occasional sloppy play by team Melli players and several delays in passing was another area of concern that could be very well punished by the stronger teams.

The two best players today were Karim Ansarifard and Ramin Rezaeian. It is difficult to choose one over another as both played quite well and were instrumental in the two goals. It is not difficult to choose the worst player of the match though, as Alireza Jahanbakjhsh continued his dismal performance during the match. With little or no contribution to the match, it was quite surprising that Wilmots allowed him to play for 88 minutes. His replacement, Dejgah made a big impact in only a few minutes. This leads to many genuine questions on how Dejagah was left out of the squad initially, yet a non-performer like Jahanbakhsh was picked to start the match.

In the other match of the group today, Bahrain managed to beat Cambodia 1-0 in Phnom Penh to lead the group with 4 points in two games. Iran is second with 3 points.

Heavy defeat for Omid team under Majidi.

Iran's Omid Football Team, which is preparing to compete in the qualifying rounds of the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, suffered a heavy defeat in the friendly match played against Uzbekistan U-23 team in Tashkent on Monday. The match ended 4 -1 for the host.

Omid team has already lost the first game 1-0 but this heavy defeat exposed a lot of tactical and technical shortfalls by the youngsters who are fightening what looks like an impossible battle to qualify for the Olympic after a 40 years absence.

Much has been said about the appointment of the rookie coach Farhad Majidi who has already maintained that he will be leading his team to Tokyo, but reality says otherwise. To mitigate the lack of experience and skills in Omid Team, FFIRI has employed Omid Namazi who has only joined the squad after the first Uzbekistan match. The expectations are all on the ex Zob Ahan coach and former assistance to Carlos Queiroz to strengthen the team tactically and introduce some game plans that actually can win matches.

Commenting on the poor result, Omid Namazi said at a post-match news conference  "It was not a good day for us, we commited lots of mistakes and gave the opponent a lot of space. Uzbekistan was a very strong opponent who played well and made the best use of the space. Of course, we had some opportunities, but we could have still come back in the second half after scoring when the score was 2-1. Unfortunately, while trying to add to our tally, our opponent succeeded in a counterattack and scored the next goal."

Namazi said at the end: "We have to think about the weaknesses in different lines. Start organizing from the defensive line and step by step to keep the ball in place and strengthen our other lines. We must learn from our mistakes in friendly matches."

Good test for Wilmots against Hong Kong

Hong Kong returns home for their second Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifier and, after a disappointing 1-1 draw away against Cambodia, they host Asia’s top-ranked team, Iran. While Tuesday’s game already has a make-or-break feel to it for Hong Kong in their effort to make it through to a first World Cup finals and qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, the same is not true for the opposition.

The heavy favourites to top the group will play their first game in this qualifying campaign when they visit Hong Kong Stadium.

There were fears the match would not go-ahead after the Iranian Football Federation appealed for the match to be played on neutral ground because of the ongoing social unrest in Hong Kong.

Iran’s Sardar Azmoun dribbles past China’s Feng Xiaoting in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final. Photo: Xinhua

Despite the official protest, FIFA has not appeared to have agreed to the Iranians request, hence it takes full responsibility on players safety. It is generally assumed that the political protest by Hong Kong residents will have very little or no effect on the match.

With the game going ahead as planned, Hong Kong may have a chance on the pitch with Team Melli having slipped up in the past by failing to take seriously.

 Iranians had at times some tendency to “underestimate” its weaker opponents. With a new boss at the helm, it is highly doubtful that this will be the case against Hong Kong in the first competitive match for boss Marc Wilmots who is keen to start the World Cup qualifiers with a win.

Marc Wilmots, the former Belgium manager replaced Carlos Queiroz in June. The Portuguese left after a disappointing AFC Asian Cup in the UAE. They unexpectedly lost 3-0 to Japan in the semi-finals in a tournament many had tipped them to win. For Wilmots, this match will be ideal as he is facing a not-so-strong opposition in Hong Kong. Wilmots will not be satisfied with a close win wither as he has already made his views known about the style he wants his team play. His emphasis is not only on attacking football but also playing a modern passing game, something his predecessor did with caution.

Iran players react after losing to Portugal at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia. Photo: EPA

Team Melli has one major absentee in Mehdi Taremi, their top scorer. Taremi suffered a knock in a league match in Portugual with his club Rio Ave that prevented him from training and taking part in this opener. The former Al Gharafa and Persepolis striker has been in top form in Portugal scoring a hat trick in a match while winning an incredible six penalties for his team early in the season. Team Melli will hardly be shaken by Taremi's absence, though, as Sardar Azmoun is enjoying his best season with Russian Champions Zenit St. Petersburg. Azmoun will spearhead Iran's attack against Hong Kong. Mixu Paatelainen’s Hong Kong side will have their work cut out against a team ranked 23rd in the world, 116 places above them.

At 18, Sayyadmanesh is the youngest of Iranian players who will face Hong Kong. Team Melli has a mix of experience and youth in a squad that includes 100-plus cap Ehsan Hajsafi.

Not even Hajsafi was around when the teams last met in 1988, but the result might end the same. Iran has won four of the five meetings between the teams, and have a 100 per cent record over Hong Kong in competitive games.

TEAM MELLI SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Rashid Mazaheri (Tractor)

Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian (Al-Shahania SC), Majid Hosseini (Trabzonspor), Milad Mohammadi (Gent), Vouria Ghafouri (Esteghlal), Mohammadhossein Kananizadegan (Persepolis), Siavash Yazdani (Esteghlal), Morteza Pouraliganji (Al-Arabi), Mohammad Naderi (Persepolis)

Midfielders: Omid Ebrahimi (Al Ahli, Qatar), Masoud Shojaei (Tractor), Ahmad Nourollahi (Persepolis), Ali Karimi (Esteghlal), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Ehsan Hai Safi (Tractor)

Strikers: Ashkan Dejagah (Tractor), Sardar Azmoun (Zenit), Karim Ansarifard (Al-Sailiya), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Allahyar Sayyadmanesh (Fenerbahce), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Brighton)

Omid Namazi joined Iran's U-23 coaching team.

Omid Namazi, who has served as an assistant coach to Carlos Queiroz during the Portugues tenure, has been added to the Iranian U23 squad that is currently preparing for a friendly match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.

Namazi has flown to Tashkent today in time for the two friendly matches.

The Iranian U-23 has a tough task ahead as it is competing in the Asian championship competition at the beginning of the new year and hoping to make the top 3 in order to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics football competition.

The task has been made that much difficult by the appointment of a coach with no prior experience in top-level coaching. The Omid Team was coached by the Croat Zlatko Kranjcar before the federation ended his contract following some poor showing. Farhad Majidi, with his limited experience, has been given the herculean task of qualifying for the Olympics football competition after many notable Iranian coaches turn down the job.

Omid Namazi, whose last job in Iran was coaching Zob Ahan football club before being replaced by Alireza Mansourian, will bring badly needed experience at the bench which is in dire need of expertise and direction and tactics.

The news about Namazi's appointment was confirmed by the Iranian football federation website.

WC 2022 Qualifiers : Group C teams share the spoils

The four teams of Group C of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers were in action on Thursday, while Iran took a day off in Matchday 1.

Both matches in Phnom Penh and Riffa ended in a 1-1 draw

Cambodia produced an impressive display despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Hong Kong at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium in their opening FIFA World Cup 2022 second-round qualifier.

Heading into the match arguably as slight favourites, it was Hong Kong who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Tan Chun Lok burst down the right and into the area before finishing into the back of the net.

But, three minutes after the half-hour mark, the hosts equalized after Sath Rosib caught the opposition defence napping a slipped a neat pass through to Keo Sokpheng, who made no mistake in coolly firing past Yapp Hung Fai.

As the game wore on, it was Cambodia who showed the greater endeavour and looked the likelier of the two sides to go on and win it. However, the winner eluded the Cambodians.

In Riffa, Host Bahrain took an early lead against Iraq with a blunder by Iraq goalkeeper.  On the 9th minute, Komeil Al Aswad sent cross from outside the box intended to the forwards, but his angle was way off as the ball went straight to Iraq's keeper Mohammad Hassan Farhan’s lap for a safe catch, however the Iraqi keeper somehow managed to let the ball lose to slip underneath him into the goal.

Iraq young attacker Mohanad Ali rescued a point for his team five minutes from time with a fine half volley while Seyed Mohammad Jafar in Bahrain goal could have done much better.

Cambodia will continue their Group C campaign on Tuesday with another home game against Bahrain while Hong Kong entertains heavyweights Iran in Hong Kong.

Injured Mehdi Taremi left out of the squad.

Team Melli squad left Tehran on Wednesday evening enroute to Hong Kong via Dubai airport.

Top scorer and forward, Mehdi Taremi was left out due to an injury. After a check by the medical staff of the team, it was decided that Taremi will be better off recovering from a knee injury he has sustained in a recent match in the Portuguese league.

Yesterday, Ashkan Dejagah was added to the squad and hence the 23 players quota is complete for the Team.

Iran will play Hong Kong on 10th September in the 40,000 capacity Hong Kong Stadium in Group C of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Iran Asks To Move World Cup Soccer Match In Hong Kong Amid Protests

Hong Kong

South China Morning Post.

Iran wishes to move its September 10 soccer World Cup qualifying match in Hong Kong to a neutral venue given the anti-government protests there that have sometimes paralyzed the city and delayed flights at the airport.

Homeira Asadi, head of the international affairs department of Iran's soccer federation, told DPA news agency on September 2 that world soccer governing body FIFA has been informed of Tehran's request.

Since June, Hong Kong has at times experienced violent protests which have led to clashes with police and the partial shutdown of one of the world's busiest airports, all of which has caused a drop in tourism.

School and university students are on September 3 planning to hold rallies for a second consecutive day in the semiautonomous city.