FIFA Bans Iran Women's Soccer Team for Headscarves

Iran is out. Of the 2012 Olympics. For women’s soccer. But here’s why you should care:

The decision was made by FIFA based on the necessity for the athletes on the team to wear headscarves during play. The international governing body of soccer took a break from its in-fighting to make the decision on Friday, just before the Olympic qualifying game between Iran and Jordan.

FIFA does not allow players to wear fabrics that cover the ears or neck (clearly scarves are OK for fans) and states that “players and officials shall not display political, religious, commercial or personal messages or slogans in any language or form on their playing or team kits.”

The rule is, in effect, not incredibly different from the NBA, where players who have personal or offensive messages tattooed onto their bodies, must cover those areas before play. Difference is, obviously, the NBA allows religious (Christian) symbols (crosses).

The Iranian team claims they changed the team uniforms last year after a different sartorial ban was handed down by FIFA, and thinks they should be allowed to play. But, if that similar regulation was “don’t wear headscarves” apparently something was lost in translation. 

FIFA says their ruling was for safety reasons. No, not for the danger of the players overheating, but for fear that the Muslim costuming would incite violence at international soccer matches – or, we suppose, more violence than usual. 

Is that a reasonable measure for FIFA to take? If the organization is genuinely looking out for the safety of a larger number of people, is that reason enough to prevent a group of athletes who have been training years for a single event from participating in that event .