Iranian Women Up Against Chain-Link Fence Outside Stadium

Like others who come watch Iran's national soccer team prepare for the World Cup in July, they join in the chants and wave their flags. But these fans are cheering from outside the fence surrounding the field, barred by law from entering because they are women.

On Monday, more than 50 female soccer fans — from girls to mothers with baby strollers — pressed against the wobbling chain-link fence, screaming, whistling, and trying to make sense of their exile.

"We're out here like beggars in our own country trying to support our own nation's team," said 20-year-old Mina Tehrani, who was taking photos of the team with her cell phone. "Are we not Iranians? Are our cheers less important?"

...So Hamid Ghomnam leans against the fence with his two daughters, 10 and 12, and watches the team run through its drills. A security officer tried to hustle away the women — along with their husbands, boyfriends and fathers — claiming even the parking lot side of the fence is off limits. But the crowd stood firm.

Fingers clenched around the rusting fence, which bulged and swayed under their weight.

"I am ashamed to have my daughters out here in the parking lot looking in," said Ghomnam, 49. "But it makes me proud to show them women standing up against this very stupid rule..."

"I'm here because I love the team," said [Sima] Babri, 21. "But I'm also making a personal stand. We cannot just always back down..."

Five years ago, a group of Irish women was permitted to attend a World Cup qualifier between Iran and Ireland. In March, a group of about 40 Iranian women tried to enter the stadium for a World Cup warm-up match with Costa Rica. Authorities at first blocked them and then promised to allow them into to a reserved section. Instead, however, the women were put on a bus and driven around the city until the match ended.

During Monday's training session, two women managed to beat the system. Sabo Tehrani and her daughter arrived hours before security and found a spot inside the stadium compound along a wall near the stands.

Outside the fence, the women chanted: "We will be inside someday."

A few men in the stands answered: "Sisters, don't give up!"

                                                [via AP]

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