An Iranian woman who was set to be sent to prison for sneaking into a soccer game in Tehran has died after setting herself on fire.
Since 1981 women have not been able to attend stadiums to watch male sporting events in Iran. Recently many women have successfully disguised themselves as men to attend matches.
Last week the female fan, Sahar Khodayari, set herself on fire after her trial for trying to enter a stadium disguised as a man was postponed. She was initially charged in March and released from jail after three days and she had waited six months for her trial.
Reports suggest that after her trial was postponed she returned to the court house and overhead somebody saying she would got to jail for six months to two years.
Khodayari then set herself on fire and a week later she died in hospital from her injuries.
She is known around the world as “blue girl” in reference to Esteqlal, the team in Tehran she supports.
FIFA gave Iran a deadline of Aug. 31 to allow women into stadiums, as president Gianni Infantino previously visited Tehran.
World soccer’s governing body released this statement following Sahar’s death.
“We are aware of that tragedy and deeply regret it. FIFA convey our condolences to the family and friends of Sahar and 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 for women in Iran.”