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Iran to probe death of 鈥楤lue Girl鈥 fan
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Iran is to probe the death of a woman football fan, state media said yesterday, after she reportedly set herself ablaze for fear of being jailed, triggering calls for an end to a ban on women attending matches.
Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Masoumeh Ebtekar had asked the judiciary to look into the case in a letter, the state-run Iran daily reported.
Sahar Khodayari, 30, was arrested early last year when she tried to enter a stadium dressed as a man to watch her favorite team, Esteghlal FC, the Varzesh 3 sports news outlet said, citing her sister.
The sister also told the Shahrvand newspaper that Sahar suffered from bipolar disorder. Her father said she had stopped taking medication a year ago.
Dubbed 鈥淏lue Girl鈥 because of Esteghlal鈥檚 colors, she set herself on fire outside the court last week after hearing someone there say she would be going to prison for six months, it said.
Iran has barred women spectators from football and other stadiums since 1981, with clerics arguing they must be protected from the masculine atmosphere and sight of semi-clad men.
The judiciary鈥檚 Mizan Online website said a young woman had been arrested as she tried to enter a stadium and faced charges of offending 鈥減ublic chastity and insulting鈥 law enforcement officers.
Citing an informed judiciary official, it said no sentence had been issued since there had been no trial.
The death sparked an outcry online, where many using the hashtag #blue_girl called on world football鈥檚 governing body FIFA to ban Iran from competitions.
Pictures said to be of her in hospital covered in heavy bandages have been shared widely on social media.
Iranian football legend Ali Karimi urged his 4.5-million Instagram followers to boycott stadiums.
鈥淭he women of our land are better than men,鈥 he wrote alongside an image of a woman with a football for a heart and flames over her head.
FIFA said it was 鈥渁ware of that tragedy and deeply regret it鈥.
鈥淔IFA... reiterate our calls on the Iranian authorities to ensure the freedom and safety of any women engaged in this legitimate fight to end the stadium ban,鈥 it added in a statement.
Esteghlal expressed sorrow over her death. 鈥淭he tragic death of our beloved child, Ms Sahar Khodayari, has caused much sadness and regret for Esteghlal FC,鈥 the club said.
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