Turkey Snubs Iran, Pairs Iran's Top Volleyball Players with Women
Sports News Blog
In what appears to be defiance of Iran's Islamic laws separating men and women in sports, Turkey's Fenerbahce club paired their two Iranian players, Saeid Marouf and Seyed Mousavi, with women on the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8.
The match between mixed-gender Fenerbahce Opet and Fenerbahce HDI teams was a direct contrast to Iran's strict rules of separation of men and women in sports and even in stadiums.
Similar to Iran, Turkey's ruling party is theocratically-inclined but does not impose Islamic rules on sports teams.
For years Iranian women were not allowed to watch men's football (soccer) or volleyball games in stadiums. In recent years, under pressure by International Football and Volleyball Federations, women are allocated spectator sections in some games.
Iranian authorities mention protection of women from potential verbal or contact abuse and establishment of orderly conduct as their main reasons for separation of men and women in stadiums.
Iran's women volleyball players are not allowed to remove their head scarf and long pants even in warm arenas and stadiums. They are not a top international contender, currently ranking 75 on FIVB list. In contrast, Iranian men (allowed to wear shorts and short-sleeve uniforms) are ranked among the world's top 10 teams.
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