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Curbs on women lifted

London: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has announced that women will be allowed to attend football matches in big stadiums for the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Under a decree reported on state television on Monday, the President ordered the head of the country's sports organisation to provide separate areas for women. ``The best stands should be allocated to women and families in the stadiums in which national and important matches are being held,'' Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying. The reason given by the President seems to have been intended to placate hardliners. ``The presence of women and families in public places promotes chastity,'' he said. Women have scuffled with police when barred from entering stadiums, although now and then they have been allowed into smaller venues to watch sports and games.

— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

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