German star Ballack diplomatic over absence of women spectators

AFP - Germany's star midfielder Michael Ballack had his diplomatic cap on when commenting on the absence of women spectators at their international football friendly against Iran. 

The Asadi stadium clash is the most prestigious football match in the country since the 1979 revolution and the German players were mobbed by thousands of fans when they arrived on Thursday. 

Ballack told the press on the absence of women in the stadium: "I'm a sportsman. There are other cultures. It has always been like that and you have to accept it. In our country it's different."

The Republic of Ireland played in Iran in 2001 for a World Cup play-off but they were not three-time world and European champions. 

The Germans will play in front of 70,000 fanatic male supporters because the stadium ban on women has still not been lifted in this football-mad, Islamic state. 

Iranian women do play football but only indoors away from the eyes of men. Those who play abroad are expected to wear clothing which covers a large part of their body.