FIFA Headscarf Ban Crushes Olympic Hopefuls' Dreams

on June 8, 2011 at 10:35 AM

soccer ball First there was Nicolas Sarkozy and his Burqa Ban. Now there's Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, and his headscarf ban. Last Friday, just before the kickoff between Jordan, it was ruled that the Iranian women's soccer team was not allowed to wear their traditional headscarves, because they break the association's dress code, and the team was disqualified. The icing on the cake is that it was an Olympic-qualifying game. Ouch.

The women, who stood on the field crying, were not only heartbroken over the fact that their Olympic dreams were shot, they were crying over the fact that the ruling means the end of women's soccer in Iran. Way to go, FIFA.

The women of the Islamic Republic of Iran are required to cover their hair, neck, arms, and legs. Even if they are athletes competing internationally. Hence, their lack of gymnastics and swimming teams. If they don't, well, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be pissed. And you probably don't want to piss him off.

So, what is FIFA's damage? They're claiming that the headscarves are banned for safety reasons (what?), but what part of "required to wear" don't they understand? These women don't have a choice. This ruling, just like Sarkozy's (which fines women for wearing burqas in France), is only hurting the soccer players.

Look, most people feel that these ladies should be able to, for lack of a better phrase, let it all hang out. Including myself. But that's not what this post is about. It's about the fact that every time an association, or other government, puts restrictions on what women with required, traditional garb are allowed to wear, they're just screwing the little people.

This FIFA ruling, and the timing of which it was executed, is some bull s**t, to put it eloquently. Sepp Blatter didn't make soccer "safer," he took away women's dreams. As Shahrzad Mozafar, the team's former head coach, said, "When a serious woman athlete can’t participate internationally, which ambitions are left for her?"

What do you think of FIFA's ruling?

Image via ElvertBarnes/Flickr

About the author Nicole Fabian-Weber

has the world's most gorgeous dog. It's a fact.

Filed Under: soccer

Comments (22)

Nonmember comment from kentuckygirl

on Jun 8, 2011 at 10:46 AM

You must not have read the entire article which said that there is a specially designed headscarf these women

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Nonmember comment from chelsie

on Jun 8, 2011 at 10:53 AM

You must have missed the part in the article where it talks about a specially designed headscarf for women in sports. They have a headscarf they can wear for sports; these women chose to wear their own.

Guinhyvar

on Jun 8, 2011 at 11:09 AM

Just looking at the pictures, I have a hard time seeing how these sleek head and neck scarves could be dangerous to the players. I think this is really sad for these women, who deserve the chance to compete internationally, and have found a way to do that despite the restrictions placed upon them by their religion. It's too bad that a compromise can't be made. I really hope this issue gets resolved, and these women are allowed to continue their careers as athletes.

ame27572

on Jun 8, 2011 at 11:40 AM

@chelsie: read again, carefully. 'In April 2010 FIFA announced that it was planning to ban headscarves and other religious outings during the 2012 Olympics. Following the ruling, Iran’s team designed special headscarves that players wrapped tightly around their heads and necks. The team said they were in line with guidelines set by the football association. FIFA did not agree and told the Associated Press on Monday that its officials had been right to stop the Iranian women from playing the qualifier. Iranian officials were “informed thoroughly” before Friday's match against Jordan that the headscarf covering a woman’s neck is banned for safety reasons, an unidentified FIFA official said.' Apparently FIFA has banned all religious wear, and as of yet not offered any alternatives. I practice different beliefs, but don't believe anyone should be involuntarily excluded for their faith. i would like to see the statistics that led FIFA to declare the headwear unsafe, there hasn't been any measureable proof.

Colette923

on Jun 8, 2011 at 12:12 PM

Christian players aren't allowed to wear crosses around their necks either. It has bullshit to do with religious crap and everything to do with the fact that FIFA doesn't want to be blamed when one of the religious nuts gets killed because she's strangled on her own scarf.

Facebook comment from Colleen Owens

on Jun 8, 2011 at 1:59 PM

There are specially designed scarves that they CAN wear. In fact one of the Iranian youth teams recently wore them with no problems. They knew about the rule well in advance, and decided to not abide by it. Its a privilege to play for one's national team, not a right. I feel really bad for these women, having to choose between their culture and their dreams, but it was ultimately their choice to make. Is it fair? No. But its FIFA's rule, and if you want to play in FIFA tournaments then you play by their rules....unless of course you're Sepp Blatter. But don't get me started on that!

on Jun 8, 2011 at 2:05 PM

They also banned the 'snood' (for the same reason they banned the scarves), which I'm sure all soccer fans are grateful for! :)

sweet.lil.mama

on Jun 8, 2011 at 4:56 PM

good. why should they have to cater to their religion while they are playing a sport?? deal with it or don't play....simple!

Facebook comment from Lindsay Reese

on Jun 8, 2011 at 7:47 PM

The rules were enacted a year ago. There is a FIFA-approved garment they could have used instead. They knew the rules in advance. The ladies on the opposite team sat out if they didn't want to wear the approved garment and the others that did played. Someone always wants to have an exception to the rule be made for them. You can't follow the rules, you can't play. Period.

Facebook comment from Kimberly Virga

on Jun 9, 2011 at 9:45 AM

It's not CATERING to their religion. You obviously do not have an understanding of their religion or perhaps religion in general. There are some practices and beliefs in some religions that are so apart of these peoples' lives that they do not separate and cannot separate themselves from it. It is not whether or not it is agains the 'rules'; this is their LIFE. Just because you may not be religious or follow or understand a religion does not mean they are catering to a religion. It is the infrastructure of many peoples lives and deserves respect.