French interior minister against female footballers wearing hijab at matches

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) — France's interior minister on Tuesday disagreed with allowing female football players to wear the hijab during matches.

"This risks of being a major blow to the republican pact," Gerald Darmanin told French broadcaster RTL, commenting on a possible court decision in favor of allowing women to wear a veil during football matches.

"One should not wear religious clothes when doing sports," he said, claiming that this would not be a good signal for women's freedom if allowed by the Council of State, the country's top administrative court.

According to local media, the "Hijabeuses" Collective, which advocates for Muslim women's rights in football, made a request to the Council of State that the French Football Federation (FFF) permits religious symbols and clothing during matches, including the hijab, except in national games.

The council on Monday heard the public rapporteur — a judge expressing a public and independent legal opinion and possible resolutions — in favor of the collective's request, the daily Le Figaro reported.

The rapporteur said civil and public servants' duty to remain neutral could not be applied to sportswomen.

The Council of State is expected to come to a verdict in mid-July.