Seized by a collective of Muslim footballers, the Council of State is examining Monday, June 26, the wearing of religious symbols on sports grounds.
They denounce article 1 of the statutes of the FFF, the French Football Federation, which prohibits conspicuous religious signs or clothing during matches. A group of footballers of faith Muslim claims before the Council of State, Monday, June 26, the right to be able to play while being veiled.
>>> “Hijabeuses”: women “have the right” to wear the veil at football, according to Elisabeth Moreno, Minister Delegate for Gender Equality
French law is currently rather vague on the issue. There is indeed a “obligation of religious neutrality” in the texts, but it only applies to civil servants. However, sports federations are associations, private organizations. Faced with this legal vacuum, each sports federation organizes itself on its side.
Prohibited in basketball, allowed in tennis
If in football, religious symbols are prohibited, the same rule applies for basketball. The veil is prohibited by the FFBB, not in the name of the principle of secularism but, this time, for security reasons, since the federation prohibits headgear as well as “hair accessories and jewelry“.
The same question arose at the French Rugby Federation, which however decided differently: the scarf is authorized but only “if it does not constitute a danger for the wearer or the other players“. The former second line of the French Stade Assa Koïta had for example been able to play matches with her veil, under a protective rugby helmet. In handball, the hijab is authorized, provided that it is sport, like some brands market it today. In other federations, players can wear the scarf without restriction, as in tennis, since the FFT simply asks “clothing compatible with practiceof this sport.
More international flexibility
Internationally, the position is generally more flexible. FIFA (International Football Federation) has authorized the headscarf since 2014. The rule is the same for the international federations of basketball (since 2017) and karate (since 2013).
In other disciplines, the hijab is tolerated, such as athletics or judo. As for the Olympic Games, if the charter officially prohibits any “political, religious or racial demonstration or propaganda“, the IOC leaves the decision in fact to the federations of each sport.