TEHRAN, Jan 31: Iran officials have banned female fans from watching their country's World Cup qualifying match against Japan in the stadium, the sports daily Iran reported on Monday.

Vice-President and sports chief Mohsen Mehralizadeh said that women would not be allowed to enter Teheran's Azadi stadium for the game against Japan scheduled for March 25. The match against Japan is regarded as the most important game for Iran on its way to the World Cup 2006 in Germany.

The presence of women in football stadiums has been a controversial issue in the recent years with the government opposing it due to what they call the "immoral atmosphere" and use of foul language by the male fans.

Reformist circles however say that there should be no discrimination and women should at least be able to come to the stadium with their families. Two chartered planes with about 600 Japanese fans, including women, are reportedly to come to Iran for the game. Foreign women are allowed to enter the stadium with prior coordination by the relevant embassy in Teheran. -dpa