Iran beat Jordan in a penalty shootout in September
An Iran women’s footballer is threatening to sue the Jordanian FA following their allegations that she might be a man.
According to the India Times, the Middle Eastern country called for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to conduct an official investigation into Iran goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei to determine her sex.
The accusations came after Iran beat Jordan in a penalty shoot-out in their 2022 Women’s Asian Cup qualifier in September.
Iran won the shoot-out 4-2, with Koudaei making two spectacular saves as she played a significant role in Iran’s triumph.
However, the 32-year-old has insisted there is no basis to Jordan’s allegations, labelling it as ‘bullying’.
“I am a woman. This is bullying from Jordan,” she said, as per Turkish newspaper Hurriyet. “I will sue the Jordan FA.”
Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein – president of the Jordan Football Association – reportedly submitted a ‘request for gender verification’ in September and later shared further correspondence with the AFC in November.
https://twitter.com/AliBinAlHussein/status/1459663347851444226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1459663347851444226%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ladbible.com%2Fnews%2Fsport-iran-womens-goalkeeper-denies-being-man-following-jordan-claims-20211117
It’s not clear what ‘evidence’ Jordan has submitted to back up its claims, but he admitted the allegations are ‘very serious if true’.
Al-Hussein revealed that, although gender verification isn’t mandatory, there is a provision that allows countries to request a player be checked for their sex.
Team selector Maryam Irandoost told Varzesh3: “The medical staff have carefully examined each player on the national team in terms of hormones to avoid any problems in this regard, and so I tell all fans not to worry.
“We will provide any documentation that the Asian Confederation of Football wishes without wasting time.
“These allegations are just an excuse not to accept the defeat against the Iranian women’s national team.
“The Jordanian team considered themselves the big favourite to qualify… and when they lost… it was natural to seek relief under false pretences and to escape responsibility for this failure.”
A spokesman for the Asian Football Confederation has stated that no comment will be made on the ongoing investigation, whether ‘actual or potential’.
He said: “The AFC does not comment on ongoing investigations and/or proceedings, whether actual or potential.”
The allegations have been met with differing opinions, with some people arguing that Al-Hussein and Jordan are only pushing for an investigation because they lost the tie.
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