February 19, 2016
Despite promises to allow women into this week’s international volleyball matches on Kish Island, no women have been admitted so far, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) said Tuesday.
Volleyball’s world governing body said “misunderstandings” in Iran are to blame after female spectators were denied entry to a men’s Beach Volleyball World Tour event.
FIVB spokesman Richard Baker told The Associated Press, “There were some misunderstandings with regard to security.”
He said women were allowed to watch games from a cafe overlooking the main court, but were not allowed into the stadium seats.
Baker said, “There have been misunderstandings throughout the day, and we have had to seek clarification.”
He said the Iranian federation “has the best intentions, but there are cultural issues.”
The volleyball competition started Sunday and ended February 19.
Iran has been named to host another international volleyball competition to be held in Tehran this summer. That will be in danger if women are not allowed into the games on Kish Island.
The website insidethegames .biz reported a week ago that organizers of the Kish Island games had promised the world governing body that women would be allowed to attend.
It remained unclear then if the government, the police, the Pasdaran, the Intelligence Ministry and the clergy were all on board with this change in policy. It is now clear that someone was not on board and vetoed the plans of the organizers.
Baker said a week before the Kish event began, “We’ve had confirmation from the organizers that the event will be open to fans from all age groups and genders.”
Women have been banned from attending soccer matches since just after the revolution 36 years ago. The ban was extended to volleyball in 2012 and immediately met with strong opposition from upper class women.