Various women has sought entry into the match but were turned away. Female photographers were also told to leave. Ghavami was released after the arrest at the stadium but then arrested again when she went to the police station to collect her belongings a few days later. She studied law in London and has dual Iranian and British nationality.
Iranian women have been protesting for years to be allowed into stadium. They are barred even when women from other countries like Korea are allowed into the stadium.
The arrest and sentence is just the latest outrage of Iran and another example of the abuse that comes from the lack of separation of religion and government.