The International Volleyball Federation (IVF) placed “discussion about Iran’s situation” on its agenda on Friday, July 18.
A report by IVF monitors on Iran regarding the ban of women’s presence in stadiums was read out at that session. While Iran’s national volleyball team’s game with Russia will soon take place, IRNA (state-run) news agency had previously informed of the likelihood of Iran’s national volleyball team being omitted from the eight higher world league teams.
The matter got serious once IVF President Dr. Ary S. Graça, expressed his happiness to Iranian women’s attention and interest in volleyball and said: “This matter will be on the agenda of the upcoming session of the world league council’s meeting where members will discuss it.” This matter was brought to the IVF president’s attention after broad protests and an open letter by 130 women’s rights activists addressed to him.
(German Radio website – July 17, 2014)