Iranian Soccer Star Can't Travel To Championship Because Her Husband Won't Let Her
LatestNiloufar Ardalan, the 30-year-old captain of the Iranian women’s soccer team who is widely considered to be the best player in the country, will not be competing in the Asian Football Federation Women’s Futsal Championship in Malaysia on Thursday because her husband refuses to give her permission.
Iranian law states that a woman must obtain her husband’s consent to apply for or renew her passport, and Ardalan’s husband will not sign renewal papers because he wants her to be home for their seven-year-old son’s first day of school.
“I wish authorities would create [measures] that would allow female athletes to defend their rights in such situations,” Ardalan, who is known as “Lady Goal,” reportedly said in an interview.
“These games were very important to me. As a Muslim woman, I wanted to work for my country’s flag to be raised [at the game], rather than traveling for leisure and fun.”