This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
On September 24, 2019, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin announced that the organization's Executive Committee would recommend European teams to boycott matches in countries where women are restricted from accessing stadiums.
The call comes in response to Fifa's demand for Iran to allow women free and unlimited access to stadiums, a right they have been denied since 1981.
Iran's ban on women attending football and other stadiums has been met with international pressure and criticism, including a tragic incident earlier this month where a female fan set herself ablaze and died after being arrested for trying to enter a stadium disguised as a man.
Uefa's decision also follows criticism of Italian football authorities for organizing a domestic Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, where women are also banned from attending sporting events.
"As much as we know, two countries in the world don't allow women and girls to watch football," Ceferin said.
Uefa's call is supported by the European Club Association, with Ceferin stating that the organization's advice to 55 national associations and all clubs will be to avoid playing matches in countries that do not respect the basic rights of women.
