Ridiculous ruling on a head scarf

The Gazette

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

It's extraordinary the fuss that can be stirred up when too little information meets too many preconceptions.

On Sunday, a soccer referee ordered Asmahan Mansour, an 11-year-old sixth-grader from Ontario, to remove her hijab or scarf, calling it "a physical threat" to others playing in a junior indoor tournament in Laval.

In protest, her coach pulled the team, the Nepean Hotspurs Selects, from the meet, and other Ontario teams followed suit.

Quebec soccer officials supported the ref, saying his hands were tied by FIFA, soccer's world governing body, which regulates on-field attire. Jewellery, for instance, is banned.

Quebec Soccer Federation general manager Brigitte Frot told The Gazette that FIFA regulations specifically prohibit headgear of any kind and, hence, the ref's decision was right.

News reports then weighed in asserting FIFA rules prohibit any form of religious garb. The story climbed the news-cycle ladder until even Premier Jean Charest got involved, opining the official's hands were tied.

Not so fast. Head gear is specifically allowed by FIFA. You can confirm this for yourself (www.fifa.com/en/laws/Laws4_01.htm).

Nowhere does FIFA's code even mention religious head dress. And the relevant section of FIFA Law 4 states "modern protective equipment such as headgear, facemasks, knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight, padded material are not considered to be dangerous and are, therefore, permitted."

If religious symbols were excluded, Edgar Davids - also a Spur, but for London's Tottenham Hotspurs - wouldn't last long in the world's most watched league with his flowing, bouncing Rastafarian dreadlocks.

Later yesterday, Quebec officials changed tack, saying they would allow hijabs if the Canadian Soccer Association did. That's quite a switch, but if the Quebec federation was so focused on FIFA for the tournament, it should have abided by FIFA rules. And given that the Canadian association is strictly governed by

FIFA, this seems like a face-saving measure.

Regulations aside, the hijab as a physical threat is, a peculiar notion. It's a scarf, for heaven's sake.

The referee's decision was astonishingly silly. In isolation, it would be inconsequential, even laughable. But in the middle of the debate in Quebec over reasonable accommodation, the case takes on distinctly uncomfortable overtones. Call it Herouxville a Laval. "Hey, we don't go for that kind of thing here in Quebec. Do it our way or stay home."

Perhaps an apology and the adoption of a reasonable attitude - the rules are already reasonable - would persuade the Ontario teams to return to competition. In this case, it's the kids who need to be protected from the adults.

And as for the broader issue of reasonable accommodation, it's time we all took a few deep breaths and worked on the "reasonable" part.