Women's rights campaign urges FIFA to ban Iran from the World Cup

Following the uprising in Iran after the death of Kurdish woman

Mahsa Amini

in custody for hijab rules, the women's rights campaign

issued an open letter to Gianni Infantino, urging FIFA to ban

from Qatar World Cup for systemically keeping women away from the football stadiums "for over four decades".

Slamming the FIFA president for neglecting women’s rights behind "empty words and promises", the campaign pointed out "shameful scenes" of women being tear-gassed and pepper-sprayed attending a World Cup qualifier against

Lebanon

in March.

The statement reads:

"All this was happening, Mr. Infantino, under your watch and, seemingly, with FIFA's protection and approval, judging by your organization's inaction."

The statement also mentions

Sahar Khodayari

, the woman known as "Blue Girl" who died by suicide after being arrested for dressing as a man to attend a football game. She expected to be sent to prison. Iran is expected to kick off the

campaign on November 21 in Group B of the tournament with England, Wales, and the United States.

The campaign claims the

Iranian FA

"remains untouched and seemingly beyond reproach by FIFA" as they share their worry about the possible arrest of Iranian women who travel to the Qatar 2022 finals.

"That is why, as Iranian football fans, it is with an extremely heavy heart that we have to raise our deepest concern about Iran's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup,"

the group said in its letter to Infantino

.

"Why would FIFA give the Iranian state and its representatives a global stage, while it not only refuses to respect basic human rights and dignities, but is currently torturing and killing its own people? Where are the principles of FIFA's statutes in this regard?

"Therefore, we ask FIFA ... to immediately expel Iran from the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

"The Islamic Republic's authorities and its football federation must not be given the honor of participating in football's finest tournament while it is killing its citizens on our streets.

"Mr. Infantino, FIFA needs to act now to protect Iran's dedicated and passionate female football fans."

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