IFAB approves hijab

TEHRAN,March 5(MNA)--The eight-man International Football Association Board (IFAB) has given the green light to Islamic female footballers that wish to wear the hijab, or headscarf, during matches. The IFAB agreed in principle in Bagshot, south of London, on Saturday to overturn the decision they took in 2007. The hijab decision, taken after a presentation to the Board by FIFA executive committee member Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, was agreed by all eight members and will also be subject to further evaluation with a final decision to be taken on July 2. Jordan’s women’s team was handed a 3-0 win in the Olympic 2012 qualifiers in June, despite no game taking place, after the Iranian team was banned from playing for wearing Islamic scarves. "I am deeply grateful that the proposal to allow women to wear the headscarf was unanimously endorsed by all members of IFAB," Prince Ali said. "I welcome their decision for an accelerated process to further test the current design and I'm confident that once the final ratification at the special meeting of IFAB takes place, we will see many delighted and happy players returning to the field and playing the game they love," he added.