A young Iranian woman immolated herself after being arrested for entering a stadium

The young Iranian Sahar Jodayarí died because of the burns suffered after being immolated to learn that she could be sentenced to six months in jail for trying to enter a football stadium, something prohibited for women in Iran.His death has generated great commotion and a wave of criticism on social networks, where numerous Internet users have asked FIFA to press the Tehran Government to allow women to go to the stadiums or even eliminate Iran from international competitions .

Jodayarí, 29, known as the "blue girl" because of the colors of his Esteghlal team, died in a hospital in Tehran, Iran’s semi-official Shafaghna semi-official reported today.

Esteghlal expressed his deep regret for the death and offered his condolences to the young woman's family, who was arrested by the police when she tried to sneak in disguise as a man last March at the Azadí stadium in Tehran to watch the match between this team and the Emirati Al Ain

She spent two days in Gharchak prison and was released pending trial, but when she learned earlier that month she could face a six-month prison sentence, the young woman decided to catch fire, causing burns in 90% of the body.

Amnesty International (AI) denounced that Sahar Jodayarí "would still be alive if it were not for this draconian prohibition and the subsequent trauma of his arrest and prosecution."

"His death must not be in vain. He must stimulate change in Iran to avoid further tragedies in the future," Philip Luther, responsible for the Middle East of AI, said in a statement.

Luther urged FIFA to "take urgent measures to end the ban and ensure that women have access to all sports stadiums without discrimination."

Due to the pressures of FIFA, the Iranian authorities announced that women will be able to go to the Azadí stadium on October 10 to watch the match between the Iran and Cambodia selections of the 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Women cannot enter the stadiums in Iran to see men play since the triumph of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which established the sex segregation policy and numerous restrictions for them.

For a few years, a reduced presence of women has been allowed in some parties in Iran, but always very figurative and by invitation, amid the tug of war between the reformist and conservative sectors of the Islamic Republic.

It is usual, however, for women to try to sneak into the stadiums dressed as men with caps, wigs and even false beards, despite the risk of being discovered and detained by the police.