FIFA lifts ban on women wearing headscarves

Football chiefs agreed on Thursday to lift a ban on women wearing headscarves during games, clearing the way for the participation of many Muslim nations in top-flight competition.

Until the vote by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) here, players were prevented from wearing a headscarf, or hijab, at the sport's highest level for safety reasons and on religious grounds.

Critics said the ban promoted inequality at the highest level of the world's most popular game.

AFP, 5 July 2012

See also "FIFA lift ban on Islamic headscarves", Reuters, 5 July 2012

Update:  And "AFC says 'right' to lift headscarf ban", AFP, 6 July 2012