{"id":142259,"date":"2022-11-28T22:14:18","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T22:14:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/female-iran-fans-fear-state-spotters-are-spying-on-them-at-world-cup-games\/"},"modified":"2022-11-28T22:14:18","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T22:14:18","slug":"female-iran-fans-fear-state-spotters-are-spying-on-them-at-world-cup-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/female-iran-fans-fear-state-spotters-are-spying-on-them-at-world-cup-games\/","title":{"rendered":"Female Iran fans fear state ‘spotters’ are spying on them at World Cup games"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The woman was becoming hysterical, standing outside the Khalifa International Stadium and sobbing.<\/p>\n

She is Iranian and, although she no longer lives in the country, she thought she had recognized who does: a man she somebody was an Iranian government official whom she saw filming her and other women before and during England’s 6-2 win against Iran at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Where am I safe?<\/em><\/p>\n

Another \u2014 we have not identified any of the women in this article in order to protect their security \u2014 says she saw a man in the stands on Monday with binoculars, consistently looking at the crowd rather than the pitch. She describes another man in a suit on his own, apparently filming a group of women in hijab behind him, then moving elsewhere, ostensibly to monitor other sections of supporters.<\/p>\n

Female Iranian activists expected these so-called \u201cspotters\u201d or \u201cspies\u201d would be in Qatar and they allege they represent the Iranian state.<\/p>\n

Women are unable to legally attend football matches in Iran. They can in Doha, however, and yet here, at the World Cup, many feel they are still being monitored and controlled, and they are worried about the possible repercussions. Complaints have been reported online via FIFA’s Human Rights Grievance Procedure, which allows people to submit reports online for an \u201cindependent expert assessor\u201d to examine.<\/p>\n

Human rights researcher Emma Walley said: \u201cUltimately, football is supposed to be for everyone. Iranian women are in a country where they are allowed to attend football matches but instead they’re still being able to be controlled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Open Stadiums, a movement to end discrimination against women in Iran, wrote to FIFA in September calling for Iran’s expulsion from the tournament and addressing this issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout consequences against the Iranian FA and its leadership,\u201d the letter said, \u201cwe are also legitimately afraid that once the FIFA World Cup concludes this December, the Islamic Republic will take revenge on Open Stadiums’ women rights activists and on female football fans in general.”<\/p>\n

Anti-regime protests have taken place across Iran since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September. She died after being picked up by Iran’s ‘morality police’, a force employed by the state to enforce Islamic dress code, as she left a subway station after being accused of not covering her hair properly.<\/p>\n

Iran face the US on Tuesday. Both of Iran’s first two matches at the World Cup \u2014 a 6-2 defeat by England and a 2-0 win over Wales \u2014 have been dominated by pro- and anti-government supporters using the platform of a major tournament to make their feelings heard .<\/p>\n

Iranian players chose not to sing the national anthem \u2014 an act which was censored by Iranian state television \u2014 before facing England. Many did move their lips when it was played as Iran prepared to face Wales, but the anthem was roundly jeered by many in the stands.<\/p>\n

Women and men also say they have been detained in Qatar for wearing T-shirts with the slogan \u201cWomen, Life, Freedom\u201d inside World Cup stadiums. Others say they have been told to take them off before they can pass through security.<\/p>\n

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Items with \u201cpolitical, offensive, or discriminatory messages\u201d are banned from stadiums at the tournament and security is organized by the host country rather than FIFA.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe human rights of women are a universal right,\u201d said a spokesperson for Fare, a network to counter discrimination in football. \u201cWhether they are being expressed in a public square, a football stadium or a street, we respect the rights of women to assert them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that very innocuous banners and T-shirts have been removed in stadiums during this World Cup and some people say they have been arrested as a consequence is a huge cause for concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of those targeted also assert there are Iranian state forces present to ensure banners and T-shirts are removed. We have no explicit confirmation of this.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are close links between Iran and Qatar. In December 2017, the Iranian and Qatari football federations signed a memorandum of understanding to \u201cstrengthen the Qatari-Iranian relations\u201d, according to Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation. The timing was significant, coming just three months after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism \u2014 a claim Qatar strongly denied.<\/p>\n

Another four-year \u201cmemorandum of collaboration\u201d was agreed in December 2021, after the blockade had ended, allowing Iran and Qatar to work together to host friendly matches and training camps.<\/p>\n

Walley said: \u201cIt will be interesting to see in the US (against Iran) game, how many people do try to still wear T-shirts or have banners and things to show their support? Because, actually, people may be more scared now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think, as in the context of sport and human rights, if people don’t feel like they can have security going to this match, then what’s the point? Sport should be a place where people have the platform to be able to exercise their right to freedom of expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s really powerful when you have something like the World Cup and so many people are watching, these women want to spread their message because they know everyone’s watching. This makes it even clearer that sport and human rights can’t be separated.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Qatari government official said: \u201cFor the safety of all attendees at the World Cup, the State of Qatar has ensured that enhanced security measures have been put in place during matches with notable high tensions among fans, including ones involving Iran’s football team.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore every match, a risk assessment is conducted, and security resources are deployed to each stadium accordingly. As in all World Cup tournaments, items that could increase tensions and risk the safety of fans are not permitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll security personnel in the stadiums report to the State of Qatar and are there to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. There are no Iranian security personnel working as part of the Security and Safety Operations Committee (SSOC) for the World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were no notable incidents during Iran’s first match versus England. After Iran’s second match, security teams were called in to break up a small number of altercations outside the stadium between Iranian fans. These incidents were dealt with swiftly and with appropriate force to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of all fans attending the match. Officials will continue to ensure that every match at the Qatar World Cup is safe and welcoming for all spectators.\u201d<\/p>\n

FIFA, the Iranian FA and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy were also contacted for comment.<\/p>\n

(Top photo: FADEL SENNA\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n