The news that Iran has banned access for women to the stadium, in the match against Lebanon, reignites rumors of a possible repechage of Italy at the World Cup.
Is Iran at risk of exclusion from the 2022 World Cup?
This is because FIFA learned the news with concern and asked the Iranian Football Association for more information on what happened. Fifa's position in relation to the presence of women at football matches in Iran is clear: "Historic progress has been made – reads a note – as exemplified by the milestone of October 2019, when thousands of women were admitted to the stadium for the first time in 40 years, and more recently, when some were re-admitted to the World Cup qualifier match in Tehran last January. FIFA – reads the press release – expects this to continue, since there is no going back. "
For this to happen, the rather remote hypothesis of respecaggio, a national team already qualified for Qatar 2022 must be excluded. The exclusion of a qualified national team (such as Iran) from the tournament in Qatar could only be possible in case of suspension or expulsion of his football federation by FIFA.
Is a repechage at the 2022 World Cup possible for Italy?
In the event that FIFA uses a hard fist against Iran, the repechage operation would take place at the total discretion of the highest world football body, based on article 6 of the regulation: "If any association withdraws or is excluded from the competition, Fifa will decide on the matter in its sole discretion and will take any action it deems necessary ". And Italy, reigning European champion and with a better ranking than the other unqualified players, could be the most logical choice, even if at the moment it seems only fantasy.
Source: Blitz Quotidiano