World

FIFA to address hijab ban

Iran to file complaint after team barred from playing Olympic qualifier.

Afp June 07, 2011

AMMAN:

Fifa Vice-President Prince Ali of Jordan will raise the issue of a ban on Iran’s women team over their traditional Islamic headscarf with world and Asian football bodies.

Ali felt that it was important to find a solution to the problem. “This is an important issue that I’ll raise with the Asian Football Confederation and with Fifa,” he said. “We’ll work together to find a solution that respects the rules of the game and the culture at the same time.”

Iranian media had reported that Tehran planned to lodge a complaint with Fifa after its women’s team was barred from playing in an Olympic qualifier against Jordan for wearing headscarves.

Jordanian news reports have said that ‘tough penalties are awaiting Iran’s team’ after they refused to remove the hijab which is mandatory for Iranian women.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (13)

Gaurav | 13 years ago | Reply Rules are never made to condemn, bias or hatred towards any communtity, religion, political party or any nation. They are unquestionable. Rules are made to make the sport, uniform. If any one feels the rules are against their religion, then they should simply not play the sport. Iran already knew that the headscarf was banned as early as 2007 yet it continued to play with scarves. It is their (Iran's soccer association) fault as they did not comply with the rules.

Gaurav | 13 years ago | Reply @Jibran Nadeem: Everyone has their right to follow his/her religion. OK! Agreed with you. But First of all in an international sport RULES ARE RULES. That is the bottomline. PERIOD... If you want to play a sport, you have to stick to the guidelines of the sport. Not to your own beliefs and faiths. Rules apply to every contesting nation. You can never make a special rule for just a certain types of countries.Yes there can be alternatives in the dress code but religion and politics is not excused by FIFA (AND THE SCARF IS RELIGIOUS). Thats it. And also headscarves reaches below your ear which is against soccer's rule. No head wear can reach below your ear. Some rules also are against the nature of certain communties but they still play! Rather than blaming FIFA, change yourself the way other communities have and think on a broad way. OK, if Iran wants to stick to their dress, no problem but then they should not blame FIFA when they will be told to forfeit the game.This thing Muslims should understand...that's just it.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Jibran Nadeem | 13 years ago | Reply @ Gaurav: Thats just it...Non-Muslims do not understand the concept behind the scarf. Its not for selected events or places. Secondly, in a society which boasts freedom of speech and expression and the right to practice your own religion, why are muslims targeted to change their way of living? If FIFA has a rule behind not wearing a head scarf, there should be a reason behind it. And if its logical, there should be an alternative which is mutually acceptable for both parties...That is how a FAIR WORLD ORGANISATION works. FIFA is supposed to be a representative for all countries of the world. Just like the United Nations. Just like the International Cricket Council. They look into the interests of all their affiliates and make decisions on reasonable and acceptable bases. If they truly cared, they would offer some sort of alternatives to the Iranians. Maybe a skin tight head wear which could cover the head and neck while at the same time not causing any danger to themselves or the other players. Think FIFA! Think!

Gaurav | 13 years ago | Reply FIFA is a non religious organization. Traditionally it has been seperating religion from the soccer field. Ever seen a European player wearing a bishop's cloak or something religious like that? it is NO. The same way Iranian women are not being allowed to wear that headscarf as it is religious and complete violation of FIFA's 'NON RELIGIOUSNESS'. When eurpeans players are banned on basis of same matters, you (@jibran nadeem,@iqbal) never say it is 'anti religious' or say it is 'discrimination' against the whole community. Then why is it so that you think this ban is against all muslims? Please don't mix this communalism in this sport. The headscarf rule may apply in mosques or other religious sites but definately not in soccer field. If these women really want to respect their religion (which is their right), they should sit in the stands and offer namaz rather than mixing religion with sports.

Golden horde | 13 years ago | Reply @mehmood Get your facts straight before u comment. Iran deosnt refuse to play against jews. It refuses to play against israel. Im sure even you can appreciate the difference.

mahmood | 13 years ago | Reply Are these the same Iranians who refuse to play against Jews --- they are the last people on this earth who can claim that they are being discriminated against because of religion -- they have made religious discrimination part of there govt policy.

Abhi | 13 years ago | Reply I was watching the Asiad organized in China few months back. I saw one women team game (I think it was Vollyboll) where Iranian team was fully in covering from head to toe, only face was visible. It was very clear that the dress was making their movements very uncomfortable and they were thrashed by oponents. I though Iranian care so much about their religion that they don't mind losing the game but stick to Islamic dress. Also I appreciated the fact that they allowed women to participate in the games. After few minutes I saw the clipping of diving competition where Iranian divers performed very well, I think they won gold or silver. But to my surprise these men were not at all worried about Islamic dress code. The were wearing small briefs and showing full body (I understand men are not suppose to wear a dress revealing body part above knee and elbow) So my question is, is this Islamic dress code only for women?

PostMan | 13 years ago | Reply There is this genuine problem of players safety involved here. It has frankly got nothing to do with racism or Islamophobia. The problem is that during the play, if a situation arises in which the scarf gets involved, there is a serious chance that the neck of the player might be snapped or may result in serious injury. Iranian players need to come up with a solution wherein the scarf is separate from the main body clothing so that in case the scarf gets entangled, there is no risk of injury to the player. http://think-islam.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-islamic-headscarf-should-be-banned.html

kailash | 13 years ago | Reply why these pure women wish to play non-pure women? they might loose their pureness by mixing with non pure women. they must stick to their pure land...

Fatima | 13 years ago | Reply And the worst part about it is that rdanians have raised this issue who are also Muslims. If our Muslim fellows do not respect their own religion and culture what could be expected from others. Its a really sad reality that our own brothers do not have our backs! I wanted to add that if Iranians are not allowed to wear hijab then all muslim world should ban FIFA but the ugly truth is we as Muslims are so divided.!

Iqbal | 13 years ago | Reply What if FIFA was governed by muslims and there was a ban on players without Hijab. That would've been considered the biggest atrocity but now it isn't. I fully support Iranian women wearing whatever they like, this is just biased and sick...

Jibran Nadeem | 13 years ago | Reply Just shows how biased these governing bodies are against Muslims. Sure, FIFA has rules but every rule is supposed to have a logic behind it. Performance enhancing drugs are banned because it leads to unfair play. I would really like to know the logic behind the hijab ban. What kind of unfair advantage would a hijab give, I wonder.

Moderate | 13 years ago | Reply They should be allowed to wear dress as per their culture.

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ

Entertainment

Rapper Lil Xan on the run after assaulting man at Boston nightclub

Charli D’Amelio dazzles at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with high-energy dance performance

Charli D’Amelio showcased her dance skills at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
YouTuber Jacksepticeye reveals autism diagnosis

YouTube star Jacksepticeye reveals autism diagnosis in a recent post, sharing his journey with millions of followers.
Gregg Wallace steps down from MasterChef amid sexual misconduct allegations

Gregg Wallace has stepped down from MasterChef after multiple allegations of inappropriate sexual comments over years.
‘Arcane’ actor Jason Spisak faces grooming allegations

Jason Spisak, voice actor of Silco in Arcane, faces online backlash after grooming allegations resurface.