Soccer's FIFA OK with Sikh head coverings, says letter from CSA to Quebec

MONTREAL - The world soccer body has apparently weighed in on Quebec’s turban ban.

And it appears to have sided with the view of the Canadian Soccer Association that Sikh headwear is acceptable on a soccer field.

The national body has sent a letter to provincial members, including the now-suspended Quebec federation, informing them of the news.

In the letter, the Canadian association says it wishes to inform them that the International Football Association Board and soccer's world governing body, FIFA, have authorized the wearing of male head covers at all levels of Canadian soccer.

The letter says the headwear must be the same colour as the jersey, look professional, must not be attached to the jersey, and not pose any danger to any players.

The Canadian association’s letter forwarded photos of acceptable headwear and those photos include examples of the Sikh headwear at the heart of the dispute.

Quebec has made international news, and been suspended from national and interprovincial play, by becoming the only province to ban Sikh headwear.

It had cited safety issues for its decision, and the fact that the garments were not endorsed by the FIFA world body – apparently until now.

The suspension of Quebec will begin being felt this weekend, as at least 20 out-of-province teams skip a tournament in Montreal.

Some players in Quebec leagues have decided to wear turbans in protest of the turban ban.

That ban had the support of Quebec’s Parti Quebecois government and some sovereigntists have even used the case as an argument for Quebec independence.

However, many federal politicians opposed the ban and applauded the CSA suspension – with the Conservatives and Liberals being the most forceful.