The White Scarves: Breaking Barriers for Women in Iranian Soccer

This podcast episode tells the story of a group of women called the White Scarves who fought for their right to attend soccer matches in Iran. The episode highlights six key soccer games that shaped the movement. In 1997, during a game between Australia and Iran, the White Scarves attempted their first infiltration, but were unsuccessful. They then started using white scarves with slogans to make their message visible. Despite facing violence and arrests, the White Scarves persisted. In 2009, one member managed to secretly attend a game between Iran and South Korea and recorded the experience. However, after the Green Movement protests in 2009, the White Scarves' unity dissolved, and today, one member remains the only active member in Iran.