Acting Asian Football Confederation president, Zhang Jilong, has urged the international Football Association Board (IFAB) to review its scarf rule.
Zhang Jilong has called on the IFAB to introduce leniency in the women’s scarf rule. FIFA had banned the ‘hijab’ from international football due to safety concerns, as the clothing covers the neck of the player.
The Iranian national team forfeited their Olympic qualifier against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordan-c2929 after not being allowed to wear headscarves by the Football Governing Body.
The Acting President has confirmed that the IFAB needs to review its rule for the promotion of women’s football. He insisted that both the AFC and the FIFA should change their stance with intervention of new rules.
He mentioned that there majority of women footballers follow their culture going into the game, and therefore, AFC must take necessary steps to allow the women players to use scarves.
In a statement from the AFC, Jilong further added:
“Many women footballers in Asia wear headscarves. I would like to request the IFAB to favourably consider Fifa's proposal and review the rule and allow women players to play wearing a safe headscarf that covers the neck. My colleagues
in the AFC Executive Committee strongly support the idea of reviewing the rule and I think it is in the interests of women's football worldwide.”
The Acting President confirmed that the new hijab designs can be used while playing football. He stated that these scarves have been made from a special ‘velvet’ material, which will not be dangerous.
While talking to AFC, the 59-years-old concluded: "I have personally seen the new designs with a velcro joined at the neck, which releases if the headscarf is pulled, ensuring the player's safety."
A few Arab football playing nations, which include http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Saudi-Arabia-c3000 and Jordan, had previously launched a complaint against the ban of hijabs. It is believed that the IFAB will eventually decide in favour of the appeal
in order to encourage more women to play football.
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