FIFA lifts headscarf ban for players

Football's governing body has decided it's time to lift the ban on religious headwear being worn by football players, a move welcomed by many.

Assmaah Helal kicks a ball about in a Sydney park.

When Assmaah Helal began playing football 20 years ago, she was one of a handful of Muslim players wearing a hijab on the field.

 

Now, she's a Women's Premier League Two player and has watched the number of Muslim women wearing hijabs on the field grow.

 

On Saturday night the International Football Association Board announced all head coverings, including for male players from Sikh communities, will be allowed in the game.

 

Secretary General of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, says the decision is long-overdue.

 

"I mean you cannot do a discrimination, we are talking about discrimination, vis-a-vis of women most of the time," he says.

 

The sanctioning of headscarves has been welcomed by Ms Helal.

 

"It's going to have an excellent impact in terms of increasing the levels of participation for women and young girls at a grassroots level."

 

 She says the announcement represents a significant step forward for the game, after a controversial period.

 

In 2011, Iran's women's team forfeited their place in an Olympic qualifying match against Jordan because their team members weren't allowed to wear headcoverings.

 

FIFA previously banned all headcoverings in 2007, claiming they posed too great a risk of injury to the head and neck, but in 2012 trialled the wearing of hijabs, with positive results.

 

However, not all countries will be supporting FIFA's decision.

  

The French Football Federation says they will continue to ban the wearing of head covers out of respect to France's status as a secular country.

  

In Australia, it's hoped this announcement will help to boost the number of Muslim women representing the country at an international level.

 

AFC Asian Cup Community Ambassador, Nasya Bahfen says she believes the announcement will inspire more diversity in international competitions.

 

"It's not inconceivable that within five or ten years' time, we could see a Matilda wearing a head scarf."

 

Ms Helal agrees.

 

"The world game will truly be what it is in that women from diverse backgrounds and people as a whole from various religions and cultural backgrounds will be able to take part in the sport they love without having to compromise their faith or any of the principles that they follow."