Chess referee removed for using the slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’
The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has barred Shohreh Bayat, a well-known international female Iranian referee, from officiating in international competitions for wearing a shirt with the slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ on it.
Shohreh Bayat confirmed this news on her Twitter account in English, stating that Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of the World Chess Federation, asked her not to wear the shirt with the slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ anymore.
She claimed that in the subsequent competitions, she entered the tournament hall wearing clothes in blue and yellow colors, which symbolize the Ukrainian flag, but the president of the World Federation said, ‘You are an unsuitable referee.’
Bayat attributed this statement to her open defense of human rights.