The representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Qom has urged for adhering to “religious values in sports”.

As part of the Iranian regime’s crackdown on defiance against mandatory hijab, Mohammad Saeedi said that sports activities must align with the country's religious principles, urging for the compulsory hijab for female athletes.

"The hijab is an adornment for female athletes," Saeedi stated. "In sports, we are not supposed to do whatever they ask us to do, but we only do sports that do not contradict our religious values."

"Hijab is an adornment for female athletes in domestic and international gatherings, and if our ladies want to be approved by God, they must separate themselves from people who violate values."

These remarks come in the wake of recent events that have raised concerns about the treatment of female athletes in Iran. Morality police in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf recently detained female athletes during a simple morning workout.

A significant number of Iranian athletes, particularly women, have defected from national teams in recent years, seeking asylum in other countries. This exodus has been attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of attention, threats, mandatory hijab, corruption within sports federations, and Iran's policy of not allowing athletes to compete against Israelis.

Mohammad Saeedi said that sports activities must align with the country's religious principles, urging for the compulsory hijab for female athletes.

"The hijab is an adornment for female athletes," Saeedi stated. "In sports, we are not supposed to do whatever they ask us to do, but we only do sports that do not contradict our religious values."

"Hijab is an adornment for female athletes in domestic and international gatherings, and if our ladies want to be approved by God, they must separate themselves from people who violate values."

These remarks come in the wake of recent events that have raised concerns about the treatment of female athletes in Iran. Morality police in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf recently detained female athletes during a simple morning workout.

A significant number of Iranian athletes, particularly women, have defected from national teams in recent years, seeking asylum in other countries. This exodus has been attributed to a combination of factors, including a lack of attention, threats, mandatory hijab, corruption within sports federations, and Iran's policy of not allowing athletes to compete against Israelis.