TEHRAN, Apr. 3 (Mehr News Agency) — FIFA banned the Iranian women’s football team wearing hijab from participating in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) which will be held from August 14 to 26 in Singapore.
FIFA at first invited the Iranian team to take part in the games but unexpectedly decided to forbid wearing hijab (Islamic covering) in the games.
President of Iran Football Federation Ali Kafashian wrote a request to the world football governing body to reconsider their decision.
He pointed out that due to religious beliefs the Iranian women team will participate in the competitions only if they are allowed to observe the Islamic dress code.
Altogether 170 countries are expected to participate in the 2010 Youth Summer Olympics. About 3,500 athletes and 875 accompanying persons are expected to participate in the games. Each country will send at least four athletes.
