To: FIFA, AFC, IOC, AND THE SPORTS AUTHORITIES OF IRAN
Football is a game both men and women of all ages play and enjoy. It is also a game that in most parts of the world is enjoyed by all on the stands and at homes. Sadly, Iranian women are not allowed to enter the stadiums to watch their national team play for glory. This unfortunate phenomenon took a turn for worse when those women who attempted to attend a football match between Iran’s national team and Costa Rica on March 1st at the Azadi Stadium were met with violence. Forty eight hours later, That was followed by expulsion of over 2000 female spectators at the World Cup of Gymnastics event from another venue of Azadi Sports Complex.
We the undersigned individuals of this petition express our outrage for the gender discrimination as it relates to allowing women into Azadi and other stadiums in Iran. Furthermore, we condemn the acts of violence committed against those women who attempted to enter Tehran’s Azadi Stadium prior to Iran – Costa Rica match on March 1st, 2006.
Our demand is clear and simple:
Women must unconditionally be allowed to attend any and all sporting events in Iran if they choose so.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned