Question Number: 14930

Law 4 - Players Equipment 3/3/2007

RE: Competitive Under 11

Jim of Hamilton, NJ USA asks...

What is your take on the 11 year old girl not being allowed to play while wearing a hajib?

http://www.theglobalgame.com/blog/?p=241

It seems to me the scarf could be seen as a safety issue as it wraps around the wearers neck. If that is the opinion of the referee, Law 4 clearly states it cannot be worn:
"A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself..."

Personally, I think I'd allow it as I don't see it as a serious safety issue, nor do I think it gives any advantage to the wearer. Also, the article above points out that matches are played in other parts of the world with players wearing the head scarf.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I'm uncertain after reading the article whether the hajib is "required" or not. If it's not, this is a no-brainer and I wouldn't allow it. If it IS required, I'd have to look at safety issues. My gut is, I'd allow it if required by the young lady's religion.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi JIm,
try 14926 for additional information. It is sad that we place an 11 year old girl in a position to bear the brunt of a divergence of opinion. It is also sad the 11 year old girl is so concerned over the unfairness to herself she also has no respect for those who feel different! It will be interesting to see if an actual directive is issued dealing specifically with head coverings or only those of a religious nature and what restrictions or adjustments to the power of the referee as the decider of what is or is not safe? Man can you believe it, I just wrote this and boom the announcement comes down. Thanks to others I compiled some media releases read and come to your own conclusions about the sense and how common it truly is!

Here's a link to a 13-minute audio clip of 2 interviews by CBC Radio.
There's a 90-sec program intro, then a short interview with the Premier of Quebec. He supports the referee's decision. It's followed by a longer
interview with the technical coordinator for the Quebec Soccer Federation(the provincial governing body). She notes that there is a company that makes a sports-friendly hijab, and that her federation is waiting for further direction from the CSA and FIFA.

http://cbc.ca/asithappens/media/dailyshow/2007-02-26-aih1.ram


Other stories on this incident are at

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/02/25/hijab-soccer.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/02/28/soccerhijab.html


This link is about the political response by Muslim politicians to the
Premier's opinion.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/02/27/qc-soccerhijab20070227.html

The Ontario Soccer Association (provincial governing body for Ontario) has a different opinion on the issue:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2007/02/26/hijab.html

BC thoughts
http://www.bcsoccer.net/bcsa/REFEREES/LawsoftheGame/tabid/109/Default.aspx rd

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The IFAB, the body that makes the Laws, has ruled that Law 4 stands as written. It is up to the referee to determine if any item of clothing is dangerous or not. If it is dangerous it cannot be worn, even if the player's religion requires its use.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Just a note:

This is from the IFAB Annual Meeting 3 March 2007:

-The wearing of a hijab is already covered by Law 4 on Players' Equipment.