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That's not fair play, that's a foul

Fifa's rules fall short of specifying anything about wearing the hijab. It has supported a referee's decision to ban a girl from playing football for wearing a headscarf.

  • Gulf News
  • Published: 00:00 March 6, 2007
  • Gulf News

An 11-year-old Canadian girl was prevented by a Muslim referee from playing a game of football for wearing a headscarf or hijab.

The controversial decision has received support from Fifa, the world body that regulates the game, on the grounds that players should not wear anything that can be dangerous to any player on the field.

However the rules fall short of specifying anything about wearing the hijab or any other religious headgear.

The rule and its implementation take on ridiculous proportions in this instance when one considers the array of head apparel on show every weekend during professional football matches across the globe.

Head-bands, hairnets, head guards, pony tails are de rigueur in a sport where image is almost as important as skill. No danger here, it appears.

Yet a young girl in a little league tournament is singled out and red-carded for innocently wearing a light cloth on her head and around her neck, tucked into her shirt. How dangerous can this be?

The application of the rule in this instance, and Fifa's collusion, appears illogical and even provocative. This surely is a case for fans to shout, "What was the ref thinking?" or "Bad decision Mr Referee."

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