The match against Russia, which ended in a draw (1-1), was watched by hundreds of Iranian women cheering on their national team, known as Team Melli, at the Azadi Stadium in the capital Tehran.

"I'm from the northeastern city of Neyshabur, for the love of Team Melli, I've been on the road for 12 hours," said Fatemeh, a 29-year-old student. "I am very happy that we women can attend and see our national team up close and cheer them on."

In March last year, even though women were allowed to buy tickets for a World Cup qualifier against Lebanon, they were denied entry to the Imam Reza stadium in the northeastern city of Mashhad due to what some officials described as "mismanagement" at the time.

In January 2022, however, women were allowed to attend an international match for the first time in nearly three years, for a World Cup qualifier against Iraq.

The match comes amid protests that began after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who died after being arrested by morality police, who accused her of violating the Islamic Republic's strict dress code.

Iranian women delighted to return to the stadium for the match against Russia, on March 23, 2023 in Tehran © - / AFP

Hundreds of people were killed, including dozens of security forces, and thousands more were arrested for participating in the protests, which authorities described as "riots" fomented by the US and its allies.

For more than 40 years, the Islamic Republic has generally banned female spectators from attending football matches.

"Being able to always come to the stadiums"

Religious, who play a major role in decision-making, argue that women must be protected from the masculine atmosphere and sight of men in sportswear, whose bodies are therefore partially visible.

The International Football Federation (Fifa) ordered Iran in September 2019 to allow women access to stadiums without restriction, after the death of a female fan who set herself on fire for fear of being jailed for trying to attend a match.

The Iran-Russia friendly match in Tehran in the presence of women, March 23, 2023 © - / AFP

FIFA had been pushing for years for Iran to open its stadiums to women, but until 2019 Tehran only allowed a limited number of women to attend matches on rare occasions.

For the friendly match against Russia, some women had the national colors painted on their faces, and many wore Iranian flags or hats in the national colors.

"I'm extremely happy to be here because it's my first time," said Farzaneh, a 27-year-old accountant, hoping that women "can still come to the stadiums; for the matches of the national team and also of the league."

The friendly against Russia is the first since Amir Ghalenoei, the most successful coach in the local league, was appointed coach of the Iranian national team on March 12.

He replaces Portuguese technician Carlos Queiroz who left his position at the head of the Iranian selection at the end of the 2022 World Cup.

This match is also special because the Russian national team has been suspended by FIFA and UEFA from all competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Iranian female police officers guard the stadium during the Iran-Russia match in Tehran on March 23, 2023 © - / AFP

Russia, second in its qualifying group for the 2022 World Cup, was unable to participate in its play-off match in March last year against Poland, and therefore did not play in the World Cup.

The team is also not taking part in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, which starts this week.

Tehran has forged close ties with Moscow in various sectors, including military, over the past year.

© 2023 AFP