Female spectators denied entry to beach volleyball in Iran
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Volleyball's world governing body says "misunderstandings" in Iran are to blame after female spectators were denied entry to a men's Beach Volleyball World Tour event.
Allowing women to attend the five-day competition at Kish Island had been a condition of world body FIVB for the Iranian volleyball federation to host the event.
Female fans are traditionally barred from attending male-only sports matches in Iran.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FIVB spokesman Richard Baker tells The Associated Press "there were some misunderstandings with regard to security" during play Tuesday.
He says women could then watch games from a cafe overlooking the main court.
Baker says "there have been misunderstandings throughout the day, and we have had to seek clarification."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He says the Iranian federation "has the best intentions but there are cultural issues."