Female Iran fans fear state 'spotters' are spying on them at World Cup games - The Athletic

She is Iranian and, although she no longer lives in the country, she thought she had recognised somebody who does: a man she believed 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?

Female Iranian activists expected these so-called “spotters” or “spies” would be in Qatar and they allege they represent the Iranian state.

Women are unable to legally attend football matches in Iran.

Iranian women are in a country where they are allowed to attend football matches but instead they’re still being able to be controlled.”.

“Without consequences against the Iranian FA and its leadership,” the letter said, “we 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.”.

“The human rights of women are a universal right,” said a spokesperson for Fare, a network to counter discrimination in football?

“Whether they are being expressed in a public square, a football stadium or a street, we respect the rights of women to assert them.

In December 2017, the Iranian and Qatari football federations signed a memorandum of understanding to “strengthen the Qatari-Iranian relations”, according to Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation.

A Qatari government official said: “For 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

“All 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