The Marmot’s Hole

Get a good look at what’s too your right, because Iranian soccer fans will be getting none of it. Today, a week before South Korea’s big Olympic qualifying match against Iran, the Iranian government kindly let the Korea Football Association know that female members of the “Red Devils” — South Korean football’s extremely enthusiastic booster club — will not be allowed into Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. In fact, they’re not even letting them into the country. The Iranian government is citing “cultural differences” and security concerns, and is particularly concerned about the possibility of female Korean fans becoming the object of abuse from male Iranian spectators. A lot of Korean soccer fans, however, suspect the Iranians are playing psychological games and simply milking their home-field advantage for everything its worth. They point out that Saudi Arabia, a nation somewhat well-known for its strict application of Islamic law, lets foreign women into their football stadiums, and even Iran let 300 Irish ladies in to watch Iran’s second playoff match against Ireland during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup qualifiers. Who knows, but the Red Devils are pissed, especially since it initially looked like the Iranians would let them in, and hence were planning a major road trip for what will be a very important match; female fans even retook there passport photos wearing Islamic hijab, and just from what the article mentions, Iranian visa applications are apparently a bitch, requiring you to draw out your family tree.

Well, anyway, it looks like the lovely young women of the Red Devils will not be testing the moral order and poltical stability of the Islamic Republic of Iran — the ayatollahs can rest easy for now.

PS: The girl in the photo is Shin Mina a.k.a Miss World Cup, and she put out an album after the games. You may wish to take a looksie at the album cover.

A whole photo album dedicated to the her can be found here, although readers suffering from heart ailments and those averse to super-fly chicks with incredible racks are strongly encouraged to avoid it.