Football, Iranian women's team withdraws

BERLIN - The Iranian women's football team withdrew Thursday from their friendly match against a team from Berlin in the German capital Friday amidst fears of a protest against the Middle Eastern country.

The Iranian Confederation of football (IRIFF) officially told their Berlin hosts, BSV Al Dersimspor, they could not play in the German capital, for technical reasons, but a police spokesman confirmed a small protest had been planned.

The teams originally met last year April 28 in Tehran in the first match allowed for women in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, which ended in a 2-2 draw. All players had to wear a headscarf.