Story By: James King, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash

An Iranian ski coach has not been allowed to leave the country to go to the Alpine world Championships in Italy because her for husband forbade it.

Under Iranian law, women need to seek the permission of their husbands if they want to travel outside the country, and Samira Zargari’s husband has refused to allow her to travel to Italy for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2021.

As a result, the reigning women’s Alpine ski team had to fly out Wednesday (17 February) without the coach who prepared them for the contest.

It was not revealed why the husband decided to not allow his wife to travel outside of Iran, and the country’s ski federation has also declined to comment on it.

It’s not the first time this has happened to female athletes in Iran as footballer Niloufar Ardalan was not allowed to attend the Asian cup in 2015 for the same reason.

Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran has effectively stopped most sportswomen from travelling. However, spearheaded by football, it has slowly made a recovery.

On Twitter, Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad wrote: “This is happening in the 21st century!

“Samira Zargari, Head coach of Iran’s ski team wasn’t allowed to accompany her team to the tournament in Italy. You know why? Her husband didn’t give her permission.

“In Iran women need the permission of male guardians to leave the country.”

The Alpine world ski championship started at the Veneto resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo earlier this month and will end on 21st February.

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