Iran has largely barred female spectators from football and other sports stadiums since the Islamic revolution of 1979, despite no law banning their participation. Clerics have argued that women must be shielded from the masculine atmosphere and sight of semi-clad male athletes. Some officials have blamed lacking infrastructure in sports facilities. Taj on Sunday said some stadiums in the cities of Isfahan, Kerman and Ahvaz - but not the capital Tehran - were "ready" to host women.
