Women in Iran have attended their first domestic football league match in more than four decades since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
On Thursday, according to Iranian media, an estimated 500 women attended the match at Azadi Stadium in Tehran.
Under the current administration, women have practically been banned from domestic games where males are playing because of clerical disapproval.
Women in Iran haven’t seen a men’s game since a World Cup qualifier three years prior.
The authorities at the time changed their minds in response to public outcry following the death of Sahar Khodayari, 29, who set herself on fire while awaiting prosecution for attempting to enter a game in disguise as a guy.
Khodayari earned the nickname “Blue Girl” because of the team she backed and became a representative of the Iranian women’s rights movement.
According to several Iranian websites, the decision to allow women into the game on Thursday was made after the Iranian government received a letter from FIFA, urging them to allow more women into stadiums.
Women are not allowed in games, which is against international football regulations.
Women were seated apart from men during the match between Estaqlal, the home team, and Mes-e Kerman, the opponents.
Many others showed their support for Khodayari by waving flags, donning team colors, and chanting “Blue Girl”.
