Iranian husband forbids footballer wife from international tournament

Ardalan’s husband wants her to be at home for their seven-year-old son's first day at school

An Iranian female football player was reportedly forbidden to attend an international tournament as her husband refused her permission to have her passport renewed. 

Niloufar Ardalan was due to travel to Malaysia to take part in the Asian Football Federation Women's Futsal Championship, however, her husband's refusal to have her passport renewed prevented her from participating in the competition. Under Iranian law, a married woman has to get permission from her husband to travel abroad.

Read: Iran police to confiscate cars of 'poorly veiled' women

"My husband didn't give me my passport so that I can (take part) in the games, and because of his opposition to my travel abroad, I [will] miss the matches. I wish authorities would create (a solution) that would allow female athletes to defend their rights in such situations," Ardalan said.

PHOTO: DAILY MAIL

Ardalan’s husband, sports journalist Mehdi Toutounchi, has reportedly refused to let his wife travel as he wants her to be at home for their seven-year-old son's first day at school.

Read: Iran women being reduced to 'baby-making machines': Amnesty

Ardalan, also known Lady Goal, had participated in weeks of training and is now appealing the government to exempt sportswomen from the law. "As a Muslim woman, I wanted to work for my country's flag to be raised (at the games), rather than traveling for leisure and fun," she reportedly added.

The issue ignited a heated debate in Iran, with many calling it a domestic issue which needs to be resolved by the couple.

Many took to Twitter to share their views on the Iranian law and in support of Ardalan:

Football player Nilufar Ardalan was to compete for #Iran till husband Mehdi Tutunchi confiscated her passport.http://t.co/RPWGASDqsM

— Catherine Weibel (@CatherineWeibel) September 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/osinluopeyemi/status/643807672634970112

https://twitter.com/Fawzia786/status/644017104593793024

New post: "
Iranian woman football player banned by her husband from attending international tournament after he … http://t.co/JWGHD8Z8LP

— Dubai Life Coach - Lee Levy (@dubailifecoach) September 16, 2015

Iranian footballer Niloufar Ardalan will miss the Asian Cup. Despite training, her husband legally forbids her travel pic.twitter.com/k1sPsqmhzI

— Martha Huntzicker (@MortdeNikiya) September 14, 2015

Soccer star Niloufar Ardalan - forbidden from traveling by her husband - will miss Asian Cuphttp://t.co/ubFQGYNHYm pic.twitter.com/5oQiOZQYQv

— توانا Tavaana (@Tavaana) September 15, 2015

This article originally appeared on The Daily Mail