Iran's World Cup Raises Calls for Change

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As the Iranian football team participated in three of its 2018 World Cup group matches in Russia this month, Iranian rights groups and rivals use the spotlight athletes to promote social and political change.

The men's football team, known as Team-e-Melli, was unable to collect enough points for the next round and left the tournament on Monday after a draw against the Portugal in the Russian city of Saransk.

Despite the loss, the game is considered by many human rights defenders as a victory for freedom since Iranian conservative leaders last week allowed women to watch the last two games of the day. Melli team in Tehran. Azadi Stadium

Iran's supporters react after the end of the Group B match between Iran and Portugal at the 2018 Football World Cup at Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia , June 25, 2018. The match is over 1-1. 19659005] Iran's supporters react after the end of the Group B match between Iran and Portugal at the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament at Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia on June 25, 2018 The match is over 1-1. Watch said Thursday that the Iranian authorities' decision was a step in the right direction, calling on Iranian officials and the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) to ensure that women and girls can freely attend the country's future men's matches. . 19659002] "Iranian to Authorities have finally reached a long-awaited milestone by reversing the de facto ban on women from attending stadiums in the last two games," said Sarah Leah Whitson, director of the organization in the Middle-East. "Iran should ensure that women can now freely attend all sporting events across the country," she said. </p> <p> Since the 1979 revolution, Iranian conservatives have used their control over stadiums. State to impose strict laws on their citizens. The hard-line leaders said that it's not Islamic for women to attend some male sports events, especially football matches, banned for female fans in 1981. L & # 39; The ban was extended to volleyball in 2012. </p> <p> Iranian activists have protested against the ban in recent years. Well-known athletes and members of parliament joined the campaign and urged the government to lift its restrictions on women. </p> <p> Last March, President Hassan Rouhani promised to lift the ban. admission to watch a match between two popular men's football teams from Tehran, Esteqlal and Persepolis. The protest led to the arrest of 35 protesters. </p> <p> The change of law, which came into effect on June 20, opened the Azadi Stadium doors for thousands of women covered in paint depicting the colors of the national football team and waving national flags. The cheerful women applauded after Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand blocked a penalty shot by Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. </p> <div class=
The Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, on the right, and the Iranian Omid Ebrahimi Iran and Portugal at the 2018 World Cup at Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia on June 25, 2018.

The Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo , right, and Iranian Omid Ebrahimi defy the ball during the Group B match between Iran and Portugal at the 2018 World Cup soccer tournament at Mordovia Arena in Saransk, Russia, on June 25 2018.

The Praise of Israel

Shortly after the match, the Israeli Prime Minister praised the performance of the Iranian team. opportunity to encourage the expansion of recent protests in Iran. "I say to the Iranian people:" You have shown courage on the ground, and today you have shown the same courage in the streets of Iran, "said Benjamin Netanyahu in a video published on Wednesday. his Twitter account

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly meeting of the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on June 17, 2018.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly meeting of the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem June 17, 2018. [19659006DegrandesmanifestationsontéclatéenIrancesdernièressemainesenréponseàl&#39;envoléeducoûtdelavieetàl&#39;effondrementdelavaleurdelamonnaieiranienneLerialaperduplusde40%desavaleurdepuismailorsquelesÉtats-Unisontdécidédeseretirerdel&#39;accordnucléaireiranien

"L & # 39; Iran has many problems: pollution & # 39; air shortage & # 39 water, what happens if the Iranian government instead of wasting its money e n Syria, Yemen and unnecessary wars in the Middle East, would start investing to solve these problems in Iran? Netanyahu asked in his address to the Iranians.

"One day, I hope to see the Iranian football team face Israel in a free Tehran, that day we will all be winners," added Netanyahu

. Iran on changing the balance of power in the Middle East. Iran has used the aftermath of the Arab Spring and the fall of the Islamic State to extend its influence from Yemen to Iraq and Israel's borders with Syria and Lebanon. .

The two countries clashed directly in February. 16 positions supported by Iran striking in Syrian territory were shot down by Syrian air defense.

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