Iran’s football girls back in Youth Olympics

DUBAI: FIFA say they will allow the Iranian girls football team to compete at the Youth Olympics as long as their players swap their traditional head scarves for a cap that covers their hair.

The compromise comes after FIFA initially barred the team from participating last month over their insistence on wearing head scarves.

FIFA barred hijab scarves – which protect the modesty of Islamic girls and women – in 2007 for safety reasons and to prevent political or religious statements on the field.

Iran will compete in a six-nation tournament for girls at the Games being held on Aug 12-25 in Singapore.

Around 3,600 athletes aged between 14 and 18 will compete in 26 sports at the inaugural Youth Summer Games. — AP

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