Fifteenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

In this paper, the development of Iranian women’s football fan identities is explored, drawing on interview data with ten women who attended Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran. Utilising a combination of identity theory and the feminization of sports fandom thesis, findings suggest interviewees have highly salient football fan identities, with men’s football consumption a central part of many of their lives. While primary socialisation positively influenced this for some women, there were also examples of gender-based constraints, leading to perceptions around inauthenticity in women’s fandom. Due to restricted entry into stadiums until recently, women often found alternate ways to exercise their fandom, including through online spaces and attendance at football players’ training grounds. Finally, regarding stadium attendance, there were some examples of positive experiences and inclusive fan communities. However, attendance sometimes led to backlash and surprise, demonstrating cultural and societal resistance. Ultimately, women often had to navigate sexist assumptions and attitudes about their football fandom.