A female fan who disguised herself to infiltrate the male-only domain of a football stadium in Saudi Arabia has been red-carded, a police statement obtained on Sunday says.
Men and women are strictly segregated in the kingdom, and football stadiums are out of bounds to women.
But one female supporter managed to sneak into a Friday fixture of the Abdul Latif Jameel Saudi professional league at Al-Jawhara stadium in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.
She wore men’s clothes “and deliberately covered her head so as not to be detected by security and not to draw attention,” police spokesman Atti al-Qurashi said in the statement.
A video posted on YouTube purported to show her sitting by herself among some empty seats in a section reserved for fans of the visiting Al-Shabab club from the capital Riyadh.
A man nearby appears to be looking intently at the woman who sported glasses and black attire. She seemed to be wearing a large hat with a scarf in Al-Shabab’s black and white colours for the match against Jeddah’s Al-Ittihad.
Qurashi said the presence of the woman, who bought her ticket online, was “against the regulations”.
He did not elaborate on whether she would face any charges but said her case “has been forwarded to the specialised authorities.”
He also “confirmed the need to comply with the instructions and regulations issued by the official authorities with regard to this matter.”
Saudi women required to cover from head to toe when outside the home, still need permission from a male guardian to work and marry.
Restaurants are divided into “family sections” and separate areas for single men.
Saudi Arabia is also the world’s only country which does not allow women to drive, and those who challenge the ban risk arrest.
The ultra-conservative Salafist tradition of Islam is predominant in the kingdom, where it applies to both religious and political life.
Al-Shabab won the match 1-0.
Latest Stories
-
Scottish Premiership: Mathew Anim Cudjoe and Dundee United secure promotion after Championship win
1 hour -
Leicester City trigger buy option for Fatawu Issahaku
2 hours -
We will ensure recent poor run of results is reversed – Hearts of Oak management to fans
2 hours -
GRA terminates 2 SML contracts, suspends upstream and minerals audit deal
2 hours -
Sister Derby joins Medikal on stage at 02 concert
2 hours -
Medikal’s 02 Concert: Shatta Wale, Sarkodie bring fireworks on stage
2 hours -
Livestream: Newsfile discusses Cecilia Dapaah’s case, vote-buying allegations in Ejisu
2 hours -
NACOC embarks on a search at Nsawam Prison
3 hours -
Ban on noise-making commences May 6
3 hours -
Foden wins Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award
3 hours -
FDA discovers expired food items at Zuarungu SHS storeroom
4 hours -
Bahamas World Relays: Ghana paired with world and Olympic champions in Heat 1
11 hours -
Bahamas 2024 Relays: Star-studded cast ready to put on pre-Paris show
12 hours -
Bahamas Relays preview: clash of global title-winning teams in men’s 4x100m
12 hours -
Arsenal keeper Raya wins Premier League Golden Glove
12 hours