Sunday, June 16, 2013

Quebec Soccer Federation reverses turban ban

The Quebec Soccer Federation (QSF) announced it has reversed its ban on players wearing turbans or related religious headwear on the pitch, saying it is pleased with the international soccer body's clarification on the issue, and it's "deeply sorry" if anyone was offended.At a news conference in the federation's Laval, Que. headquarters, QSF executive-director Brigitte Frot said they are asking all referees in the province to allow turbans and similar head coverings like patkas and keski, as advised by FIFA — the Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

"Our goal was always to have confirmation that the wearing of a turban was allowed by FIFA. And of course, we're delighted that FIFA was able to answer our questions and remove any ambiguity," said Frot.

In response to the lifting of the turban ban, the Canadian Soccer Association has ended its suspension of the Quebec Federation which was imposed on June 10. The turban issue took on a political life of its own, with Quebec Premier Pauline Marois and her opponents all weighing in.

Yesterday, Marois called it "disgraceful" that many groups and individuals in the rest of Canada depicted the Quebec Soccer Federation's ban on turbans as racist (CBC)

Does it mean if FIFA approved the earlier ruling, then it would have been a hogwash. The question we would like the Premier minister and her sport council to answer is -what was their original motive? What must have premeditated such actions in the first instance?

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