Ban on hijab in football matches ‘appropriate’, France's top court rules

France’s highest court said that the country's soccer federation can ban hijab even though the measure limits freedom of expression. A group of hijab-wearing football players called “Les Hijabeuses” campaigned against the ban, launching a legal action which resulted in the Council of State ruling which is likely to restart a longstanding debate on secularism in France.

Sports federations “may impose on their players an obligation to wear neutral clothing during sporting competitions and events, in order to guarantee the smooth running of matches and prevent clashes or confrontation. It considers that the ban imposed by the FFF is appropriate and proportionate", the court ruled.

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The French soccer federation bans players from wearing hijabs and other religious symbols in matches, as well as at any competitions it organizes- against the recommendations of FIFA that allows players to compete at international level with head covering.

The ruling gives the opportunity to “reaffirm the republican and civic values that underpin soccer, and its total commitment to combating all forms of discrimination and promoting gender equality," France federation said.

The ban may be implemented for next year's Paris Olympics as the court said that the federations are free to determine the rules for participation in their events.

“The rules of participation laid down by these federations may limit (the players') freedom of expression of their opinions and convictions in order to guarantee the proper functioning of the public service,” the court said.

French interior minister Gerard Darmanin said earlier this week that he was opposed to the wearing of the hijab during sports competitions.

“You don’t wear religious clothes when you play sports. When you play soccer, you don’t need to know the religion of the person in front of you," he said.

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