Top French court upholds ban on hijab in sports

PARIS (AA) – France’s top administrative court upheld a ban on Muslim women football players wearing hijab during matches.

The court ruled that the French Football Federation (FFF) can enforce the ban, which is part of its bylaws.

The court said that sports federations have an obligation to be impartial and that this includes not allowing religious symbols to be displayed during matches.

“Sports federations, in charge of proper functioning of the public service whose management is entrusted to them, may impose on their players an obligation of outfit neutrality during competitions,” the court in a statement said.

The ban is seen as a victory for secularism in France, but it has also been criticized by some as being discriminatory.

The ban was first implemented in 2016, after a group of Muslim women footballers were refused permission to play in a match because they were wearing headscarves.

The group of women, who called themselves “Les Hijabeuses,” appealed the decision to the Council of State.

The court said that the ban is “appropriate” and “proportionate”.

The court said it is necessary to ensure that football matches are played smoothly and without any conflict.

The court ruled that the FFF could include the ban in the first article of its bylaws in order to ensure that football matches are played smoothly and without any conflict.

Accordingly, women football players will be unable to wear headscarves in FFF matches.