FIFA agreed officially to allow Muslim women players to wear Hijab

By Larbi Arbaoui

Morocco World News

Taroudant, Morocco, March 22, 2012

After a five year ban, The International Federation for world soccer FIFA agreed officially to allow players to wear the Muslim hijab (headscarf) during football games and all sports.

Since 2007, FIFA has included headscarves in the banned list for players when Asmahan Mansour was prevented from playing a match by the Quebec Soccer Federation after she refused to remove her headscarf.

According to (FIFA) player equipments law “a player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry).” Law 4, safety.

Officials claimed that the headscarf, which veiled athletes’ heads and necks, violated the organization’s dress code and posed a potential safety threat.

According to a FIFA member, the Hijab wear presented by Dutch designer Cindy van den Bremen convinced the committee that wearing sports head-cover can be safe.

This decision has brought the smile to the face of Muslim female players who have been deprived the right to play football or participate more professionally in any official sport with their head scarves.

The removal of this ban will encourage more Muslim women to play football and give them worldwide opportunity to be engaged in sport games professionally. No more excuses to their noticed absence in the international competitions.

Yet, further tests are called for by the International Union, before the announcing of the final decision on July 2nd, 2012.