Saudi women will be granted access to football stadia for the first time in 2018
In a historical breakthrough for women's rights, the Saudi Arabian government will allow women to attend football matches in the new year
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rq255hmuDPVvUyUuit8SkR.jpg)
After mounting pressure from activists to increase women's rights, Saudi Arabia has taken its first steps towards sporting equality. As of 2018, female spectators and journalists will be allowed to attend both club and national fixtures in a segregated area of grounds.
The new law has been agreed with Ahmed Eid al-Harbi, president of the Saudi Football Federation and former goalkeeper, and is expected to boost attendance figures across the country by as much as 15 per cent.
"There is change, but it is slow. It has to be fast."
Although this is undoubtedly positive, many believe that true equality will never be realised. Commenting on the recent news, one Saudi journalist said: “Everything is upside down. Revolution is possible. There is change, but it is slow. It has to be fast. Nobody knows what will happen.”
The nation has also shown its intention to add girls' physical education to the private school curriculum, having sent female athletes to compete at the London 2012 Olympics for the first time.
Others, however, are considering the latest steps something of a smokescreen to deter interest in the deeper issue of Saudi government meddling in its national sport federations. Such interference from Kuwait's ruling party led to their banishment from Asian Cup and World Cup participation.
See also...
Romelu Lukaku's mother reveals she used to take his birth certificate to youth matches
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Steaua Bucharest's Ianis Stoica scores on debut... aged only 14
Juventus's Federico Bernardeschi smacks in tasty volley against SPAL in Serie A
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
‘Phil Neville tried a lot of different ideas to get the best out of the Lionesses, but things weren’t quite right and needed ironing out – that wasn’t his fault’: Former England women's star reflects on time with national team
‘Missing the Euros was one of the toughest moments of my career – I got into a good place mentally and physically with my form, then my body broke down’: England star reflects on agonising summer