Iran under fire over anti-women law after ‘Blue Girl’ dies of self-immolation

TEHRAN: Iran came under fire over its anti-women laws after the famed ‘blue girl’ died early Tuesday of self-immolation in fear of being jailed, triggering calls for an end to a ban on women going to the stadium to watch men’s matches.

Dubbed “blue girl” because of the colors of Esteghlal FC, her favorite football team, the woman, name as Sahar Khodayari, 29, set herself on fire outside the court last week after hearing someone say she would be going to prison for six months to two years.

Sahar was arrested early last year when she tried to enter a stadium dressed as a man to watch Esteghlal, the Varzesh 3 sports news outlet said, citing her sister.

She was arrested in March when she tried to enter a football stadium dressed as a man to watch Esteghlal, the Varzesh 3 sports news outlet said, citing her sister.

Group of women dressed as a man to watch a football match.

After being jailed for three days she was released on bail and waited six months for her court case.

But when she appeared at court she found out it had been postponed because the judge had a family emergency.

She then set herself alight in front of the courthouse and later died in hospital.

Her death must not be in vain. It must spur change in Iran if further tragedies are to be avoided in the future.

The woman’s self-immolation has led to a lot of debate in Iran.

Masoud Shojaei, the captain of the Iran men’s football team, said on Instagram that the ban is rooted in outdated and cringe-worthy thoughts that will not be understood by future generations.

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