The French Football Federation (FFF) will continue to ban women wearing headscarves during matches, despite FIFA’s approval of the attire.
FIFA announced on Thursday that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting in Zurich had unanimously agreed to a trial period where women would be allowed to wear headscarves.
That decision paves the way for Muslim women to wear veils on the field but the FFF has declared it will continue to prohibit the use of any clothing related to religious beliefs in accordance with the political ideal of secularism, once championed by former president Jacques Chirac, where institutions are not linked to religious beliefs.
“In regards to the participation of French national teams in international competitions, and the organisation of national competitions, the FFF reiterates its desire to respect the constitutional and legislative principals of secularism prevailing in our country,” a statement read.
“Under these conditions, it does not allow players to wear the veil.”
The IFAB also approved the use of goal-line technology during the meeting in Zurich while backing the continued use of additional referees.
