Eight women have been arrested in Iran for dressing up as men so they could watch a football match.

Islamic law in the country bans women from attending live matches when men are present and the group were detained at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.

They had attempted to disguise themselves in order to watch Esteghlal FC and Persepolis FC on February 12 this year, but now face legal action.

Two of the eight women understood to have been arrested for trying to get into a football match dressed as a man

Alireza Adeli, head of security for the Tehran municipality, said it was not the first time it had happened.

He told Memri: 'The ban is aimed at preserving their honor, because the stadium's atmosphere, commotion, and crowds are no place for them.

'Women who wish to watch the match can do so on TV, which broadcasts the games and gives everyone a way to watch them live.'

The women now face charges.

As well as banning women from football stadiums, Iran's strict laws extend to prohibiting women from cycling in public.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently issued the fatwa banning women from riding bikes in public, saying that it would attract the attention of males and is therefore forbidden.

Among the other seemingly innocent acts that can result in being reprimanded include women uploading a photograph of them without a headscarf and posting a video of themselves singing.