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Iran Women's Goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei Denies Being Man Following Jordan Claims

Iran Women's Goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei Denies Being Man Following Jordan Claims

The footballer has accused the country of bullying

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A footballer for the Iran women's national side has insisted she is a woman following allegations made by Jordan.

The country called for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to conduct an official investigation into goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei to determine her sex, according to the India Times.

The serious accusations came after Iran beat Jordan in a penalty shootout in their 2022 Women's Asian Cup qualifier, back in September.

Iran ended up winning the shootout 4-2, with Koudaei emerging as the hero thanks to two brilliant saves.

Now the 32-year-old has insisted there is no basis to Jordan's allegations.

The keeper claims Jordan is trying to bully her.
Twitter

According to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, she said: "I am a woman. This is bullying from Jordan.

"I will sue the Jordan FA."

The president of the Jordan Football Association, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein, submitted a 'request for gender verification' in September and shared further correspondence with the AFC on 5 November.

He said the allegations are 'very serious if true', though it's not clear what 'evidence' Jordan has submitted to back up its claims.

Al-Hussein stated in his submission that while gender verification isn't mandatory, there is a provision that allows countries to request a player be checked for their sex.

The allegations have made headlines in both countries, with some people suggesting Al-Hussein is only crying foul play because his team lost.

As for the Iranian national team, officials have been quick to leap to the defence of Koudaei.

Koudaei was the hero in the shootout.
YouTube

Team selector Maryam Irandoost told Varzesh3: "The medical staff have carefully examined each player on the national team in terms of hormones to avoid any problems in this regard, and so I tell all fans not to worry.

"We will provide any documentation that the Asian Confederation of Football wishes without wasting time.

"These allegations are just an excuse not to accept the defeat against the Iranian women's national team.

"The Jordanian team considered themselves the big favourite to qualify... and when they lost... it was natural to seek relief under false pretences and to escape responsibility for this failure."

A spokesman for the AFC said: "The AFC does not comment on ongoing investigations and/or proceedings, whether actual or potential."

Featured Image Credit: Newsflash

Topics: SPORT, World News, Football