Iran girls barred from Singapore Youth Olympics for wearing hijab
The Iranian girls' football team has been barred from the upcoming Youth Olympic Games after world football governing body FIFA rejected the Iranian Olympic panel's request to let their players wear the hijab (Islamic headscarf).
Iran was scheduled to compete in a six-nation tournament at the inaugural Games, to be held in Singapore from 14th to 26th August.
According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Iranâs National Olympic Committee (NOC) had earlier refused to let the team play without the hijab, and sent a request to FIFA.
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke rejected the Iranian Olympic panelâs request in a letter to the national football federation, and added that Thailand has been nominated to replace them.
Valcke was quoted as saying "taking into consideration the clear position stated by the (Olympic committee) of Iran, the FIFA Executive Committee had no choice, but to take the decision that (Iran) will not be able to participate.
FIFA maintains football's international rule book, which contains a section on players' on-field equipment stating that "basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements."
It adds "the team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment has political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA."
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