FIFA’s recent announcement authorizing the wearing of the veil by sportswomen has been warmly welcomed by Asia, particularly by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The AFC sees this decision as a significant step forward for women’s football in the region.
The authorization, granted on Saturday, came in response to requests from Muslim countries, allowing women to wear the veil on the pitch. Additionally, FIFA also approved the wearing of turbans for men, as requested by Sikhs in Canada.
Sheikh Salman Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the AFC, expressed optimism about the impact of this decision on women’s football in West Asia. He believes it will give the sport a significant boost, allowing member federations to enter teams in international competitions.
It’s worth noting that the International Football Association Board (IFAB), responsible for governing football laws, had previously authorized the wearing of the veil on a trial basis, subject to strict conditions, following requests from several Muslim countries.
However, it’s important to recognize that this decision may not apply universally. In countries like France, where debates over the veil are contentious, the national football federation maintains a ban on the wearing of all religious or confessional symbols, including the veil, for French national teams participating in international competitions.
