French Council of State: Football Federation has the right to ban hijab in women's competitions

On Thursday, July 8, France's highest administrative court announced that the country's Football Federation has the right to prohibit hijabs in women's competitions, even if this action restricts freedom of expression. The French Council of State issued its ruling after a group of female footballers wearing hijabs attempted to legally overturn the ban on wearing hijabs in competitions. According to the Associated Press, this ruling is likely to fuel long-standing debates about secularism in France, a contentious issue that remains more than a century after the 1905 law on the separation of church and state established it as a principle in the French Republic. The French Football Federation prohibits female players from wearing hijabs and other religious symbols in official competitions and other games under its management. This action does not align with FIFA regulations, which allow female players to participate in international competitions wearing hijabs. The French Football Federation stated that this ruling provides an opportunity to affirm 'the republican and civic values that underpin football and a full commitment to combating all forms of discrimination and promoting gender equality.' The Council stated that sports federations 'may require their players to wear neutral clothing during competitions and sporting events to ensure smooth execution and prevent conflict.' The council deemed the ban on hijabs for women in French football competitions as 'appropriate.' The court did not act on recommendations to repeal Article 1 of the federation's regulations, which prohibits 'the wearing of any sign or clothing that apparently indicates religious affiliation' and applies to official competitions and other events under the management of the French Football Federation. It remains unclear whether this ban will apply to next year's Olympic Games in Paris. Gérald Darmanin, France's Minister of the Interior, stated earlier this week in a radio interview that he opposes wearing hijabs in sports competitions. He added, 'You do not wear religious clothing while exercising. When you play football, you do not need to know the religion of the person in front of you.' Right-wing lawmakers in France attempted last year to introduce an amendment to sports law that would extend the hijab ban to all sports. Their argument was that neutrality is a requirement in the sports field and that a hijab could endanger athletes' safety during training or competition. This amendment was rejected after a heated debate in the lower house. Lawmakers had previously passed a bill to strengthen oversight of mosques, schools, and sports clubs to protect France from extremist Islamists and promote respect for French values—one of the prominent projects of Emmanuel Macron, the President of France. Following an increase in deadly terrorist attacks in France, most citizens believe that extremism is a significant threat. However, critics viewed this law as a political ploy to attract right-wing supporters to Emmanuel Macron's centrist party ahead of the presidential elections that he won. Reflection in India; when officials of the Islamic Republic imposed mandatory hijab on Indian athletes. The International Olympic Committee emphasized the 'non-discriminatory' participation of Iranian athletes in global competitions. Sara Khademalsharieh's meeting with the Prime Minister of Spain. Sara Khademalsharieh, chess champion: 'I do not feel good with my hijab.' The first photo without hijab of a women's team inside Iran; the Kanko basketball team took a photo with the slogan 'Women, Life, Freedom.'