The country’s soccer federation is allowed to ban headscarves during games, according to France’s top administrative court, which declared this on Thursday.
Following a campaign against the ban and legal action by a group of football players who wear headscarves known as “Les Hijabeuses” (the word hijab refers to the headscarf), the Council of State made its decision.
Players are not permitted to wear headscarves during competitive events or in official matches, according to the French Soccer Federation. It goes against FIFA’s recommendations, which allow players to compete at the international level while wearing a headscarf.
In order to ensure that matches proceed without a hitch and to avoid collisions or altercations, the Council of State stated that sports federations “may impose on their players the obligation to wear neutral clothing during sporting competitions and events.” It believes that the FFF’s ban is both reasonable and fair.
The suggestions made earlier this week by the public rapporteur, who suggested that Article 1 of the federation’s regulations be repealed, were not followed by the Council of State. The rule, which applies to organised events and competitions, bans “the wearing of any sign or dress ostensibly manifesting a religious affiliation.”
It’s unclear if the ban would be put into effect for the Olympics in Paris the following year.
The rapporteur had claimed that players crossing themselves before on the pitch was an example of how religious symbols were already prominent in football.
This week, French Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin voiced his opposition to the hijab’s use during sporting events on RTL radio.
“You don’t wear religious clothes when you play sports,” he said. “When you play soccer, you don’t need to know the religion of the person in front of you.”
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