An Irish woman dressed with Islamic coverings as required by Iranian law watches the Iran v. Ireland World Cup qualifying match at Azadi stadium in Tehran November 15, 2001. Women in Iran are not allowed to attend football matches, but an exception was made in the case of the Irish women who travelled to Iran. Iran defeated Ireland 1-0, but still did not qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Women will be allowed to watch Iran's World Cup playoff against Ireland on 10th November from inside the stadium for the first time since the 1979 Islamic revolution -- but only if they are Irish.

Women are banned from Iranian soccer stadiums to protect them from the bad language and rude gestures of male fans and crowd noise is turned down to a minimum during live television coverage to ensure women viewers at home are not offended.

``About 300 Irish women fans visiting Iran, will be able to enter the stadium, but Iranian women are not allowed,'' an Iran soccer federation spokesman told reporters.

``The Irish do not speak Farsi, so they will not understand the bad language which most of the Iranian men use during the matches.''

Iranian women, many of them ardent soccer supporters, are unhappy about having to miss the chance to watch the second leg match, in Tehran on November 15, from the stands.

``I hate this double standard. What is the difference between me and an Irish woman who can watch the game and support her national team. We should be allowed as well,'' said Azita, a 20-year-old Iranian woman supporter.

Iranian women were beaten and turned away from a playoff against Australia for the 1998 World Cup, which Iran won to qualify for the last finals.

The matches will be the first between Iran and Ireland since the two met in an invitational tournament in Brazil in 1972. Ireland won that game 2-1.

About 1,000 Irish supporters are expected to travel to Iran for the second leg of the playoffs.

(Agencies)