| Photo is a reminder of how Islamists use soccer stadiums. |
In his order to the head of Iran's Physical Education Organization, the president argued that despite reservations, "experience has proven that when women and families are allowed into stadiums, ethics and chastity will prevail."
Since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution ushered in segregation of the sexes and a strict dress code for women, only a tiny number of Iranian women have been allowed inside stadiums - despite a national passion for football that is shared by men and women alike.
Only the very few women able to secure official invitations to VIP sections of the stands have been able to watch live sporting events. Even female sports journalists have been given extremely limited access to matches.
The Physical Education Organization's security chief, Mehdi Farahani, admitted the new directive would "take time to implement" - meaning women are unlikely to see a World Cup warm-up match against Bosnia in the northeastern city of Mashhad on May 31.