French Football Federation Bans Headwear and Tights, Citing Religious Neutrality

In the name of secularism and neutrality, French footballers can no longer wear helmets and tights on the pitch. In a letter sent at the end of February to the presidents of leagues and districts, the French Football Federation (FFF) instructed them to ban the wearing of this equipment on the pitch. Muslim players are in the crosshairs. The FFF believes that the helmet and tights could represent ostentatious signs of religious affiliation to Islam.

From now on, the wearing of the helmet and tights will only be allowed on the pitch "for proven medical reasons". To benefit from such an exemption, the player will not be content to submit a medical certificate. He will first have to submit a "substantiated and complete" file to the medical commission of the FFF which will study the relevance of his request before issuing a favorable or unfavorable opinion.

In doing so, the FFF intends to fight against any "misuse of the principle of neutrality, under the pretext of medical reasons". "Refusal to remove or hide the ostensible clothing or sign must lead to strict application of the rule: non-participation in the match of the person concerned, and in case of refusal to withdraw, the match cannot take place. Regulatory and disciplinary sanctions must then be initiated," the body concluded.