The FA in England Issues Apology to Muslim Athlete Iqra Ismail Following Ban Due to Religious Wear
Iqra Ismail, the former leader of Somalia’s women’s squad in 2019, was barred from participating due to her choice of attire aligning with her spiritual convictions. (Instagram: coachiqra)
LONDON, UK (AX) — A heartfelt apology has been issued by the Football Association of England to Iqra Ismail, a British-Somali footballer, after she was denied the chance to play in a Greater London Women’s Football League (GLWFL) match. The reason? Her decision to don tracksuit bottoms instead of the league-mandated shorts, as a reflection of her religious principles.
Ismail, a 24-year-old trailblazer who once captained Somalia’s female team and passionately champions Muslim women’s presence in sports, was ready to join United Dragons FC during a halftime substitution. Yet, to her surprise and disappointment, a call by the referee to adhere to shorts attire pulled her from the pitch. Ismail, taken aback, shared that for five solid years, tracksuit bottoms were her customary attire, never once causing a stir in the league. “Hearing I couldn’t play due to my beliefs was alienating,” she shared. “For me, it transcends clothing; it embodies acceptance and esteem.”
The FA responded promptly with a mea culpa, underscoring its dedication to embracing diversity, and confirmed that players should be free to wear faith-aligned garments. An FA representative said, “We’re actively teaming up with Middlesex FA and GLWFL to solidify inclusivity norms across every tier,” referring to prior guidelines sent to county FAs encouraging match officials to respect religious attire.
Initially, the GLWFL adhered to the shorts edict, suggesting leggings or tracksuits could be donned beneath shorts matching team hues. Post FA’s involvement, the league rethought its stance, acknowledging the appropriateness of tracksuit bottoms alone. “Our pledge is to ensure every player feels invited, at ease, and apt to fully engage,” declared a league announcement, vowing to ensure match officials are well-versed in the revised rule.
Ismail, passionately working towards nurturing welcoming environments in football, envisions this incident sparking widespread reform in sports institutions. Aside from playing, she established Hilltop FC, advocating Muslim women’s engagement in football through inclusive strategies. “If women must choose between their faith and their game, the system’s failing them,” she noted. “Policies need to spotlight true inclusion, visibly and operationally.”
Ismail’s experience underscores enduring obstacles Muslim women endure in athletics, where attire regulations often conflict with religious tenets, inadvertently hindering participation. Her pursuit of resolution and equality, both on the field and outside it, has garnered backing and thrust her situation into the limelight, illustrating the urgent need for sports to be more inclusive.
The FA, along with Middlesex FA and GLWFL, remain determined in their inclusivity commitments, actively liaising with Ismail to guarantee straightforward and uniform attire policies across the board.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
