FIFPro, the global soccer players’ union, is backing a campaign to change FIFA’s rules of the game to allow Islamic women to wear hijabs.
FIFPro spokeswoman FrederiqueWinia says “the current ban on wearing headscarves for religious reasons is discrimination.”
Soccer’s rules-making panel banned hijabs citing safety reasons in2007, and will consider lifting the ban at a March 3 meeting in England. FIFA vice president Prince Ali of Jordan will show the panel a headscarf held in place by a Velcrofastener.
Iran’s women team forfeited 2012 Olympics qualifying matches last year because of the ban.