Sport

PayvandNews – Iranian powerlifter Mohammad Reiesi has set a new aggregate record in the 84-kilogram weight class of the World University Powerlifting Cup in the Czech Republic, improving the previous record by nearly 20 kilograms.

Al-Monitor – Despite numerous obstacles and challenges, the women’s rights movement in Iran continues to move forward. Indeed, while to some the pace of its advances may seem slow, its achievements in the past few years cannot be ignored.

Radiofarda – An ultraconservative clergyman has lambasted President Hassan Rouhani’s government for letting women to enter Tehran’s main sports arena (Azadi stadium) and watch Iranian national football squad’s two televised soccer matches against Spain and Portugal.

Al-Monitor — Thousands of Iranians gathered at Imam Khomeini International Airport on the outskirts of Tehran on June 27 to welcome the national soccer team upon its return from the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Despite being eliminated at the group stage once again, the team has received unparalleled praise from the public over its performance, having defeated Morocco, tied …

RFL/RE – Two top Iranian players have said they are retiring from international soccer after being targeted online by angry fans following Iran’s failure to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup in Russia.

Al-Monitor – Iran was filled with pride and praise for its national soccer team, known as Team Melli, as it raised eyebrows by holding former European champion Portugal to a tie in the World Cup on June 25.

RFL/RE – Iranian women have scored another victory as they publicly viewed a World Cup game for only the second time in 40 years, but their team was eliminated from the tournament partly as a result of controversial decisions by referees in a game against Portugal.

Radiofarda – Iran’s hardline Prosecutor-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri denounced the presence of women in Tehran’s main football stadium Azadi saying he was “ashamed” of telling what has taken place there.

PayvandNews – Iran national football team head coach Carlos Queiroz says Team Melli match against Portugal is his greatest match ever in his seven-year spell in Iran. Despite their defeat against La Roja, Iran’s fate is still in their own hands.  Whatever happens in Spain’s final group match against Morocco, the Iranians know that a win over Portugal will see …

CHRI —In an open letter, prominent women of Iranian origin including Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi, Oscar-nominated actress Shohreh Aghdashloo and legendary singer Googoosh have urged the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to demand that Iran end its discriminatory ban on women in stadiums.