نامه سرگشاده به آقای سپ بلاتر رییس فیفا، در باره ممنوعیت زنان در جمهوری اسلامی، از حضور در مسابقات فوتبال: نازنین افشین جم، دریا صفایی ، محمد بیاتی و دکتر مصطفی عرب

ATTN: Mr. Sepp Blatter

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)

FIFA-Strasse 20,

P.O. Box 8044 Zurich, Switzerland

Dear Mr. Sepp Blatter,

The long standing practice of  the Islamic Republic of Iran of banning women  from attending football matches , has caused us to appeal to you as the highest authorities of FIFA as well as being a decent human being to help lift this unjust ban since the 1980s,.This ban has been imposed by the regime on base upon the decision of a few unelected clergy.  Iran is the only country member of  AFC  that has such a discriminatory policy against women.

Gender segregation and discrimination against women runs contrary to the universal, unifying spirit that defines “The Beautiful Game.” Such discrimination also runs contrary to FIFA’s Statutes. Article 2(angel) of the FIFA Statutes makes it clear that the organization’s objectives include promoting football “in the light of its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.” More specifically, Article 3 of the Statutes provides that “discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.” .

FIFA, as an entity organized under the laws of Switzerland is bound by the mandatory provisions of Swiss law which prohibits any discrimination based on gender.  The Federal Act on Gender Equality has made any discrimination based on gender illegal.  The Federal Office for Gender Equality is charged with the authority to investigate and prosecute the offenders in this field.

Further the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (adopted by the General Assembly in 1979 and signed and ratified by Switzerland on 23rd January 1987 and 27th March 1997 respectively) forbids any discrimination against women.  The Convention defines discrimination as “..any distinction exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition enjoyment or exercise by women ..” of their fundamental rights.

The Iranian government’s policy of forbidding women is morally wrong, discriminatory, and runs contrary to the letter and spirit of the FIFA Statutes as well as imperative laws of Switzerland and international law. FIFA’ Committee on Fair Play and Social Responsibility and Ethics Committee are charged with the responsibility to combat all types of discrimination and prejudice including the exclusion of women from football matches.

FIFA has often taken significant steps to ensure that discrimination and prejudice have no place in sport, for example, by passing anti-racism resolutions, holding Anti-Discrimination Day events and promoting its recent “Say No to Racism” campaign. Last year, FIFA approved tough new anti-racism sanctions, and you yourself noted that tough sanctions were needed to eliminate racism as “one of the villains we have today in our game. But it is only with harsh sanctions that racism and discrimination can be washed out of football.”

Just as it has addressed the scourge of racism, we ask that FIFA take concrete steps to ensure that gender discrimination has no place in football. Specifically, we urge FIFA to follow the example of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) which recently announced its decision to ban Iran from hosting international volleyball tournaments held under its auspices as long as the Iranian government’s discriminatory policy towards women continues, saying that it would “not give Iran the right to host any future FIVB directly controlled events such as World Championships, especially under age, until the ban on women attending volleyball matches is lifted.”

The Iranian government’s policy of banning Iranian women from attending football matches has become infamous internationally and was notably depicted by director Jafar Panahi,as you can see in his 2006 film, “Offside”. Mr.Panahi now is banned from making movies,Sadly and ironcly  this unjust and discriminatory ban is happening in the land of Cyrus the Great who wrote the first human rights charter in 254 B.C.

No one should be barred from attending a football match because of their gender. No one should be harassed, arrested, detained and abused for wanting to see a volleyball game. Sport should be an expression of what is best about the human spirit.

We urge FIFA to oblige the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran to obey the laws and statutes issued by FIFA and to end the gender apartheid by making it possible for women to attend football games in stadiums. Otherwise it should end up with a suspension of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran or at least with the loss of the right to play international games in Iran.

Should you require any further documents or representations please do not hesitate to contact us at the following address and we shall be glad to comply.                                                       Thank you very much for your attention and we look forward to your response.

Best Regards,