The protests continue to rage across Iran but the recent return of fans to stadiums for the first time since the uprising could, from an uncritical distance, easily be construed as a tentative step towards normalcy.
Well, some fans. And the definition of normalcy in a state where half the population face daily repression is open to interpretation.
Women continue to be locked outside as some grounds allow 30% of their seats to be filled with men, who are then monitored closely by security forces more than happy to hand out the most severe punishments should they make any gesture bordering on the political.
