June 29, (THEWILL) – France’s highest administrative court, the Council of State (Conseil d’Etat), ruled against a group of Muslim female football players, who challenged the ban on the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, imposed by the French Football Federation (FFF).
The court stated that the ban implemented by the FFF is appropriate and proportionate, as confirmed in their official statement. The court emphasised that sports federations, responsible for the smooth functioning of public service entrusted to them, have the authority to enforce dress neutrality among players during competitions.
While FIFA, the governing football body, lifted a similar ban on the hijab for female footballers over a decade ago, France, with one of Europe’s largest Muslim minorities, has implemented laws aimed at preserving its version of secularism, known as “laicité.” President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concerns about the perceived threat of Islamism to laicité.
However, some Muslim associations and human rights groups argue that these laws unfairly target Muslims, erode democratic protections, and expose them to potential discrimination.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
