A CHESS referee has admitted she won't return home to Iran after images of her not wearing a hijab were circulated online.

Shohreh Bayat was attending the first leg of the Women's World Chess Championship in Shanghai when she was seen without her headscarf on - which has now made her fear for her safety.

3 Bayat was seen without her hijab while refereeing the Women's World Chess Championships Credit: AFP or licensors

Headscarves are compulsory in Iran, with punishments including public admonishment, fines or even arrest.

The 32-year-old claims she wasn't attempting to protest when she didn't wear her hijab during her time as a chess official at the World Championships.

She told the BBC that she doesn't feel safe returning to her home country of Iran, despite saying she had covered her head at international tournaments, following Iranian rules.

She said: "I turned on my mobile and saw that my picture was everywhere.

FEAR TO RETURN

"They were claiming I was not wearing a headscarf and that I wanted to protest against the hijab.

"It’s against my beliefs. People should have the right to choose the way they want to dress, it should not be forced.

"I was tolerating it because I live in Iran. I had no other choice."

After refusing to write an apology and defend the Iranian dress code, Bayat said the risk is too high for her to return home to her family.

She added: "There are many people in prison in Iran because of the headscarf. It’s a very serious issue.

"Maybe they’d want to make an example of me."

Bayat has asked Iran’s Chess Federation if they would write her a letter guaranteeing her safety but they reportedly declined.

Maybe they’d want to make an example of me Shohreh Bayat

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) vice president Nigel Short tweeted his support for Bayat.

It read: "Shohreh Bayat - the first woman ever to be General Secretary of a sport federation in Iran.

"The only female Category - A International Arbiter in Asia.

"A great ambassador for her country."

Bayat is in Russia to referee the second leg of the World Championship between defending champion Ju Wenjun from China and Russian challenger Alexandra Gorychkina.

Shohreh Bayat - the first woman ever to be General Secretary of a sport federation in #Iran. The only female Category-A International Arbiter in Asia. A great ambassador for her country. pic.twitter.com/18H8ESqwkp — Nigel Short (@nigelshortchess) January 9, 2020

The pair are competing for the £256,000 prize, the biggest prize in the competition’s nearly 100-year history.

The 32-year-old has said she is angry that her achievements in chess have been overlooked, as the argument surrounding how she dressed has been the main talking point.

MOST READ IN NEWS SEE YOU IN SPRING 6 months of on-off lockdown as Boris to declare 'circuit breaker' in days MASK MAYHEM Anti-mask mob clashes with cops at huge demo against vaccine and lockdown Latest HOME-TIME HORROR Girl, 11, fighting for life after she was hit by bus near grammar school KILLER HUSBAND NABBED Moment husband who murdered wife before going to the pub is caught Live Blog COVID UPDATE 'Extended' national lockdown as No.10 warns of worst case scenario - LIVE 'WORST NIGHTMARE' Newborn mauled to death by 'jealous' dog who escaped from pen, says uncle

She said: "I can't think of any Iranian women who have worked at such a high-level tournament.

"But the only thing that matters for them is my hijab, not my qualification. That really bothers me."

Unsure of her next move, the chess referee has said that if she had a choice, she would go home - however she doesn't want to risk it because of the potential backlash from Iran.

3 The 32-year-old now fears going back to Iran, where it is illegal for women to be seen without a hijab Credit: Reuters

3 Her hijab was only partially covering her hair during the competition Credit: Reuters

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.