France wont allow soccer players to wear headscarves
Baku, July 7 (AZERTAC). Female soccer players in France will not be allowed to wear headscarves while playing in international games and domestic competitions. The decision comes a day after FIFA gave permission for female Muslim players to cover their hair on the field.
The French Football Federation says Friday it is obliged to "respect the constitutional and legal principles of secularism which prevail in our country and which feature in our statutes." Accordingly, the statement adds, the federation "does not authorize the female players to wear headscarves."
In approving headscarves, soccer authorities reversed a ban on the Islamic hijab thats been enforced in FIFA competitions since 2007 for safety reasons.
Thursdays ruling by FIFA to approve headscarves reversed a ban on the Islamic hijab thats been enforced in FIFA competitions since 2007. Soccer rules prohibit equipment that is dangerous or makes religious statements.
The IFAB gave its OK after FIFAs medical committee decided two scarf designs do not threaten the safety of female players. The designs use quick-release velcro fasteners and magnets.
FIFA Vice President Prince Ali of Jordan led a yearlong campaign to overturn the ban and allow Muslim women to play the game. Two Islamic countries make the headscarf mandatory for women in public — Iran and Saudi Arabia. Last year, Iran forfeited qualifying matches for the Olympics because of the headscarf ban.
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