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Fifa asked to ban Iran from 2022 World Cup

Published

8 months ago

October 21, 2022

editor

Football’s world governing Fifa has been called on to ban Iran from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

A group of Iranian football and sports personalities have sent a formal request to the body asking for it to suspend the Iranian Football Association.

They claim government intervention – by stopping women entering stadia in Iran – contravenes Fifa rules.

“Neutrality from Fifa is not an option,” the group said.

It comes amid a violent crackdown by the country’s security forces against widespread anti-government protests.

The request also follows a similar call from human rights group Open Stadiums last month.

“Iran’s brutality and belligerence towards its own people has reached a tipping point, demanding an unequivocal and firm disassociation from the footballing and sports world,” the group said.

“Women have been consistently denied access to stadia across the country and systematically excluded from the football ecosystem in Iran, which sharply contrasts with Fifa’s values and statutes.

“If women are not allowed into stadia across the country, and the Iranian Football Federation is simply following and enforcing governmental guidelines, they cannot be seen as an independent organisation and free from any form or kind of influence. This is a violation of (Article 19) of Fifa’s statutes.”

While no official ban on women entering sports grounds where men are playing is in place in Iran, they are frequently denied entry.

Earlier this year, Fifa wrote to authorities requesting they permit more women into stadiums, and some women were allowed to attend selected matches in Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League.

The group – supported by a Spanish law firm – say other nations have been suspended in the past for similar violations.

“The Fifa Council can and must immediately suspend Iran,” they add.

“Fifa shouldn’t allow participation by a country that is actively persecuting its women, athletes and children only for their exercising their most basic human rights.”

-BBC

News

Have inquiry how you can have better country not on me missing my flight – Venerable Ajahn (Video)

Published

5 hours ago

June 4, 2023

editor

Venerable Ajahn Brahmawanso Thera, who was held back at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for 12 hours, said instead of having an inquiry about how he missed the flight, authorities should have an inquiry on how Sri Lanka can have a better country with more forgiveness.

“I learnt that the President has initiated an inquiry about how I missed my flight. Someone made a little mistake. It is not a big deal. So please instead of having an inquiry about how I missed my flight, instead have an inquiry how you can have a better country with more forgiveness. Allow people to make mistakes because one thing which I’ve noticed when you allow people to make a mistake, they’re not afraid of making mistakes. They make less mistakes,” the Thera said in a video.

The Thera said he never knew the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka was at the lounge that evening.

“I am a well-known monk. So, you go in the VIP lounge. I never knew the prime minister of Sri Lanka at the lounge that evening. He was going off to some big event over in Bangkok. Everything was orderly and plenty of time to wait for the flight. When it came to the boarding time, I asked if we are boarding soon. They said don’t worry, everything is on schedule. By the time they took me to the gate, that is when I saw the boarding bridge was moving away from the aircraft. The plane took off. I missed my flight. Nothing to do with anything which I was doing. I just got taken out only seen the lounge. Supposed to be VIP is supposed to look after VIPs please never become a VIP. You tend to lose your board. If I had just walked out by myself no problem, but you can’t exist soldiers outside,” he said.

(dailymirror.lk)

News

31 Jaffna University students suspended over a brawl

Published

6 hours ago

June 4, 2023

editor

A total of 31 students of the University of Jaffna have been suspended with immediate effect.

The 31 students of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce have been suspended following a brawl between second-year and third-year students on Friday.

Following preliminary investigations, 16 second-year students and 15 third-year students have been banned from entering the University premises until further notice.

They will also not be allowed to enter or remain inside University hostels.