Iranian Conservatives Oppose Women In Stadiums

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad in training with the national soccer team (file photo) (Fars) April 26, 2006 -- There is growing criticism of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's recent order that women should be allowed into soccer stadiums.

Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani was one of a number of conservative clerics and politicians to argue that it is un-Islamic for women to attend men's sporting events.

Another cleric, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirzai, said it was not safe for women.

The order would overturn a ban stretching back over 25 years on women attending soccer matches.

Ahmadinejad justified his decision on the grounds it would help bring morality and chastity to public places.

(ISNA, FARS)