No new regulation, which would permit women to attend sporting events and matches, was ever approved by the Security Council, said the Director of Information and International Affairs at the Ministry of Interior.

The announcement, which was covered extensively by the media, came out after a high-ranking official at the Ministry of Sport and Youth, said that the Security Council was considering allowing women and families to attend sport stadiums.

However the Official Website for the Ministry of Interior denied this and said: “When publishing any news about the Ministry of Interior and the Security Council, the media should exclusively use official sources from the Ministry of Interior for information.”

But Abdolhamid Ahmadi, the Cultural, Sport and Research Deputy at the Ministry, told IRNA on April 5 that, “A proposal that looked into the possibility of women being allowed into sport stadiums was presented to the Security Council by the Ministry of Sport and Youth. This received preliminary approval, and is now waiting to receive final approval so that it can be implemented.”

Ahmadi added: “The crucial need for women to be allowed to participate in sports is being stressed and supported by high governmental officials, including the Supreme Leader.”

“Unlike the issue of sportswomen attending international contests, covered extensively by the national and international media, women attending sport stadiums is of less importance and can definitely be resolved fast.”