France’s soccer federation said it would not allow women to wear Muslim headscarves.
Source: THE TELEGRAPH
By Devorah Lauter, Paris
The decision, announced on Friday night, was despite a ruling on Thursday that they could, by the FIFA umbrella organization which sets the rules of the game.
The French Football Association said that though it is a member of the FIFA, it, “will not authorize [female] players to wear the scarf.” Their decision will apply to those participating in national French selections for international competitions, plus national competitions.
The FFF “needs to respect the constitutional and legal principles of secularism which prevail in our country and which are part of its statutes,” said the statement.
Supporters of the FFF’s decision here said religion should stay out of sports. “Allowing the headscarf on the fields opens Pandora’s Box,” conservative UMP deputy, Gérald Darmanin told the French daily Le Figaro. “This kind of decision accentuates divisions between communities,” he added.
Others here complained the new ruling could spread to other sports.
The Muslim Times 