"Criticism of the Football Federation in France for their stance against athletic wear such as tights and helmets, justified under the guise of 'secularism'"
Revamped Article:
Sick of it, mate! It seems like every other day, French Muslims face insults. Aurélien Taché, a deputy, voices his concern over a letter from the French Football Federation (FFF) aiming to tighten restrictions on certain sports gear that allegedly implicates religious neutrality.
This letter, dated February 27, surfaced in the media on this week, signed by Vincent Nolorgues, president of the Amateur Football League, addressing all club managers. The letter underlines that certain items such as helmets or leggings can only be worn after a medical authorization from the FFF Medical Commission.
The FFF's intention behind this stringent control, according to the letter, is to thwart any attempts to "evade the neutrality principle under the pretext of medical reasons." Le Parisien suggests that the FFF fears these objects might be used as emblems associated with Islam. In the first instance, these items could supposedly conceal a veil, the ban on which by the FFF was upheld by the Council of State in June 2023. In the second case, leggings enable covering the thighs and knees—a practice endorsed by strict Islamic advocates.
Vincent Nolorgues clarifies that even with a medical certificate, the player in question will not be cleared to play unless the FFF Medical Commission gives the green light. Moreover, these items "cannot be worn with visible signs of affiliation, such as those prohibited by our statutes."
Disregarding compliance could lead to penalties for the player, as emphasized in the letter: "Refusal to remove or disguise the outfit or the visible sign must result in strict implementation of the rule: non-participation of the person concerned in the match, and in case of refusal to withdraw, the match cannot be played."
According to RMC Sports, this move comes in response to multiple reports from amateur referees facing outfit noncompliance throughout France at the end of 2023, mostly in men's matches, particularly the increasing trend of men wearing black leggings beneath their shorts.
Some critics argue that after the ban on the Islamic veil and the disputes around Ramadan fasting during matches, this move represents a "persecution" by the French Football Federation against sportspeople of Muslim faith.
"The fashion police... The FFF is taking things to an even greater level of absurdity. Laïcité, that’s not it," remarked one commentator. Jérôme Payen, former chief of staff to the mayor of the city of Lyon, stated, "The fashion police, day in and day out. Muslims never seem to get a break from insults or Islamophobic harassment. It's tiring."
The Collective against Islamophobia in Europe also expressed concerns, asking when the FFF's obsession with controlling Muslim players or those suspected of being so would cease.
French journalist Nassira El Moaddem, editor-in-chief of Bondy Blog and presenter of "Stop on images," described this letter from the FFF as evidence that France is a "country of degenerate racists. There are no other words. Shameful."
Her reaction sparked fury from far-right media and political personalities, such as RN deputy Julien Odoul, who called for the journalist's suspension, and French-Israeli lawyer Gilles-William Goldnadel, who labelled her a "racist."
The editorial team of "Stop on images" released a statement backing Nassira El Moaddem, denouncing the "racist harassment... of unprecedented violence" she has faced since her publication.
The European-leagues debacle continues with the Premier League, as the French Football Federation (FFF) tightens restrictions on certain sports gear, such as helmets or leggings, due to concerns about religious neutrality. Critics argue that this move represents a "persecution" by the FFF against sportspeople of Muslim faith, who are already subject to other restrictions like the ban on Islamic veils and disputes around Ramadan fasting during matches.
The Collective against Islamophobia in Europe expresses concerns about the FFF's obsession with controlling Muslim players or those suspected of being so, and questions when this practice will cease, as Muslim athletes seem to never get a break from insults or Islamophobic harassment.
