Saudi Women Score Right to Watch Men’s Soccer in Stadiums

Saudi Women Score Right to Watch Men’s Soccer in Stadiums
A Saudi woman is seen during the soccer match between Al-Ahli against Al-Batin at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Jan. 12, 2018. Reuters/Reem Baeshen
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JEDDAH–Women in black abayas and fluorescent orange vests stood at the gates at King Abdullah Stadium, welcoming people into the family section that, for the first time in Saudi Arabia, allowed women to attend a men’s soccer match.

As the two teams al-Ahli and al-Batin faced each other in the city of Jeddah, women showed up to their first public sporting event in the Kingdom to support the sides with their spouses, children and friends.