The U.S. Men’s National Team will play in Iran for two World League matches, but their female relatives are “forbidden” to attend.
Competition between the U.S. and Iran teams on June 19 and 21 will be off limits to females after Iran’s volleyball federation said “entry of women at volleyball matches is forbidden,” NBC reported Friday.
Iran’s Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, Shahindokht Molaverdi, said earlier this month that female family members would be allowed to see the matches, NBC reported.
A basij militia group said on Tuesday during a “prayer protest” that it would “spill blood” if women were allowed to view the match, NBC reported.
The match between the two nations will take place in the Azadi Sports Complex, which seats 12,000 (male) fans.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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