A day to remember for women in Iran despite loss to Spain in FIFA World Cup

For first time since 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tehran allowed both men and women to watch the screening of Iran’s FIFA World Cup match against Spain.

Iran’s FIFA World Cup campaign suffered a setback on Thursday when they lost to Spain 1-0 in Kazan on Wednesday.

Iranian football supporters dressed in their national team's colours and paraphernalia pose with their national flag as they arrive outside Azadi stadium in Tehran on Wednesday to attend the screening of the FIFA World Cup Group B match between Iran and Spain. Riding on Diego Costa’s strike, Spain beat Iran 1-0. (AFP)

However, back home for Iran, the game witnessed a historic moment. Following an order from Tehran provincial council, women were allowed to enter Azadi and Takhti stadiums in the country’s capital and watch televised coverage of Iran-Spain game.

In a country where women have been barred from attending sporting events in public spaces, this was the first instance in many years when men and women were able to enjoy a game of football in a stadium together.

The news of Irani women watching football matches in stadiums pleased victorious Spain skipper Sergio Ramos who was all praise for these fans and dubbed them the real winner of the night.

“They are the ones who won tonight. Hopefully the first of many,” Ramos wrote in his Twitter post.

Women in Iran were banned from attending any male-only sporting event in stadiums post the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

In the recent times, many groups have protested against this discriminatory practice with a bunch of Irani fans raising banner reading “#NoBan4Women” and “Support Iranian Women to Attend Stadiums” during the country’s opening World Cup match against Morocco in Russia last week. Iran won that game 1-0.

Iran will face Portugal in their last group match on Monday and will look to register a win to enter the Round of 16.