The FA (The Football Association) has issued an apology to Muslim footballer after she was barred from playing in a league game for declining to wear shorts due to her religious beliefs, reports Nadine Osman/The Muslim News, UK.
Iqra Ismail, 24, a pioneering figure in women’s football and a coach, was set to substitute in for United Dragons during a Greater London Women’s Football League match against Tower Hamlets FC on October 27. However, she was stopped from playing after refusing to wear shorts with her kit.
In a video posted on social media, Ismail, who captained Somalia in 2019 and established Hilltop FC, expressed her frustration with the league’s decision: “The Greater London Women’s Football League have stopped me from playing because of my religious beliefs, because I refused to wear shorts with my playing kit,” she said.
She added that she had been playing in the league for nearly five years, always wearing tracksuit bottoms, but each year it had become “more and more difficult” for women like her to participate.
“This year they have drawn the line and banned me from playing until I compromise my beliefs,” she continued. Ismail added that the Middlesex FA referee said the league barred women from wearing tracksuit bottoms, regardless of colour or kit.
Following Ismail’s public statement, the FA issued an apology and confirmed that she would be allowed to wear tracksuit bottoms in future games.
As per The Muslim News report, Chair Yashmin Harun of the Muslimah Sports Association (MSA) commented, “The incident involving Iqra was deeply unfortunate, and no one should have to experience what she did that day. Regrettably, a miscommunication occurred, and the referee was following guidance that was later found to be outdated. I hope this incident has highlighted the need for awareness around the updated guidance. MSA has collaborated with all stakeholders involved to ensure that a situation like this does not happen again.”
Ismail’s involvement in football extends beyond the pitch: she was named to the Football Blacklist in 2019 and spoke earlier this year at the FA’s “Your Game Your Way” event held at Brentford Football Club.
Reflecting on the lack of diversity in women’s football, she commented, “At this level, the priority should be making women’s football accessible, and the Greater London Women’s Football League have done the exact opposite. They ask me why women’s football lacks diversity and why it is difficult to find women who look like me in the competitive game. Things like this are the reason.”
A spokesperson for the FA said they were “aware of this matter and…in contact with Middlesex FA to ensure that it is quickly resolved,” emphasising that guidance was sent out earlier this year to all County FAs and match officials to allow players to wear clothing compatible with their faith. They reiterated the FA’s commitment to making English football “an inclusive and welcoming environment for everybody.” The Middlesex FA also stated they were working closely with the FA and league officials to resolve the issue.
