The long-awaited decision has finally been made: wearing a veil (or turban for men) is now officially permitted in football. This groundbreaking ruling was announced on Saturday by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body responsible for the laws of the game, following a 20-month testing period.
“Females players are now allowed to wear head coverings during play,” stated FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, also noting that this option is now extended to male players.
Prior to 2012, the wearing of hijab during football matches was prohibited due to concerns over potential player safety risks. This ban sparked outrage from Iran, whose women’s football team boycotted a match against Jordan in June 2011, and subsequently filed a complaint against FIFA.
After extensive testing initiated by the Asian Football Confederation, the IFAB decided to lift the ban on wearing the veil. However, it’s important to note that attaching the hijab to the swimsuit remains prohibited.
