In a very bizarre incident, Jordan accused an Iranian female footballer of being a man. The Jordan Football Association has requested that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) launch an official investigation into Iranian women’s team goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei. Iran on the other hand denied the accusations and suspects foul play from Jordan.
Iran has qualified for their first-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup after defeating Jordan in a penalty shootout 4-2. Koudaei, who was a key figure in Iran’s victorious AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign, produced two outstanding saves against Jordan to keep Iran in the game. Prince Ali Bin AL-Hussein, the President of the Jordan Football Association took to Twitter to post a letter.
The medical staff carefully examines each player on the national team in terms of hormones to avoid any problems in this regard.
The letter requests “a gender verification check” on the Iranian shot-stopper, accusing her of being a man. He further adds that it is a “very serious issue if true”. Speaking to the Iranian news agency Khabar Online, Irandoost explains, “The medical staff carefully examines each player on the national team in terms of hormones to avoid any problems in this regard. So I tell all fans not to worry.” She further added, “We will provide any documentation that the Asian Confederation of Football wishes without wasting time.”
However, Irandoost also accused Jordan of utilising this ruse to cover up their devastating loss. “These allegations are just certainly excuse not to accept the defeat against the Iranian women’s national team,” she said. “The Jordanian team considered themselves the big favourite to qualify. And when they lost it was natural to seek relief under false pretenses and to escape responsibility for this failure.”
The Iranian national football team has previously been accused of fielding men in the national team. Four players were banned in 2014 after failing gender tests. In 2015, eight athletes were under accusation of being men and were awaiting gender transition surgery. The Iranian team will compete in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which will be held in India in January.