The year was 2017, but at the Azadi stadium in Iran, Syrian women were allowed for a World Cup qualifier match vs Syria while female Iran football fans were absent…
As conservatism plays a critical role in every bit of legislature in the Middle East, we take a look at its role in the running of football in a country that was tipped to embrace modernity a long time ago.
The primordial argument against liberalism is the impending risk of it steamrolling indigenous cultures. Conservatism does not allow unfamiliar praxis to meddle with the inveterate traditions that have been in practice for centuries.
Be it politics, economics or sport, there is a sense of unsullied traditionalism attached to things that we admire, and certain changes to them irks even the most left-wing oriented people in our society. For example, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology – one of the most controversial additions to football – has made millions of fans vent their frustrations over its exasperating ability to put a stopper to a seamless game of football.
I will admit, as technology reaches new heights, that the VAR will improve to deliver a faster and more accurate verdict, but after watching its functionality for nearly a year in certain leagues around the world, one cannot help but sigh at its needlessness. Just search “VAR controversy” on Google and you will be attacked by a sea of articles and editorials advocating against it.