FIFA gives green light to hijab

BAGSHOT, England - Reuters

The final decision on hijab will be made at a special meeting in Kiev on July 2.

The International Football Association Board voted anonymously for the lifting of the hijab ban, giving green light to Islamic women footballers to wear headscarves when they play.

IFAB, which comprises four representatives from the world governing body FIFA and four from the British associations, agreed in principle to overturn the decision they took in 2007 and will now allow Islamic women footballers to wear a hijab during games.

Goal-line technology was also approved in principle by the game’s lawmakers on weekend and could be used for the first time at FIFA’s Club World Cup finals in Japan at the end of the year.

The eight-man International Football Association Board said that the technologies of two companies, Hawk-Eye from Britain and GoalRef, a German-Danish company, would be subject to further tests until a final decision was taken at an IFAB meeting in Kiev on July 2.

The hijab decision, taken after a presentation to the Board by FIFA executive committee member Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, will also be viewed on July 2.

“I am deeply grateful that the proposal to allow women to wear the headscarf was unanimously endorsed by all members of IFAB,” Prince Ali said.

“I welcome the decision and I’m confident that once the final ratification at the special meeting of IFAB takes place, we will see many delighted and happy players returning to the field and playing the game they love.”

In other decisions, a proposal from FIFA to allow a fourth substitute in extra time in Cup matches was withdrawn while further discussions will be taken regarding the “triple punishment” sanction when a player concedes a penalty, is sent off and faces a suspension for preventing a goal-scoring opportunity.
IFAB also approved the use of “vanishing spray”, the marker sprayed on to the pitch so defenders stand 9.15 meters from free-kicks.