The Senate discusses a law to ban competitions to athletes who wear hijab: the world of sport rises, from Cantona to Thuram
Paris. They wanted to play football yesterday in the courtyard in front of the National Assembly, where French deputies were discussing a highly controversial legislation: the possibility of prohibiting sportsmen from wearing the veil in all competitions in the country. They are the Hijabeuses, young French Muslim women who, on the other hand, claim that right, especially in football, where the professional federation already denies it (while, on an international level, FIFA has authorized the veil since 2014). Eventually, however, the Prefecture of Paris denied authorization to the Hijabeuses, fearing clashes with protesters against them.
Because, when the use of the Islamic veil in public spaces is discussed in France, controversies inevitably arise. Especially since we are already in full campaign for the presidential elections, scheduled for next April, and the issues relating to immigration and national identity this time prevail, driven by the far right, which has two candidates, Marine Le Pen and Eric Zemmour , who compete in the polls for second place in the first round. It is they, in many cases, who give the green light to the political debate … So yesterday about the veil in sports competitions, yesterday they wanted to say their 50 professional sportsmen, active or not, who signed an appeal to reject the amendment. This prohibits “the ostentation of religious signs” in competitions and matches, but it is above all to the Islamic veil that is addressed. These athletes, beyond the measure, however from the uncertain parliamentary path, above all ask that its ban be lifted for the sports that already apply it. Among them stand two former football players, charismatic characters, such as Eric Cantona (now an actor, often with committed roles and a strong social charge, his new life …) and Lilian Thuram, engaged in the battle against racism, thanks to a his association and multiple interventions in that Parisian suburb, where he grew up.
Let us return to the measure at the center of the diatribes. This is an amendment to a more general law on sport, which in reality aims to facilitate access for all, “democratize it”. It was proposed by Senator Michel Savin, of the Republicans, the party of the moderate right, which in the Senate has the majority (while in the Assembly it is the macronists who have it). «Our goal – Savin reminds the press – is that the field where you compete in sport does not become a place where religious beliefs or political ideas are imposed. We want to guarantee its neutrality ». He, passionate about basketball, played a lifetime and «I didn’t care about the skin or the religion of my teammates and who I was up against. All this must be left at home ». The amendment was approved on January 19 by the Senate. After that, however, a mixed commission of senators and deputies failed to find an agreement. Yesterday the National Assembly rejected it. And now it will go to the Senate, to return later to the deputies, who will have the last word and who will probably reject it (but nothing is sure). In any case, the debate is open, because in reality, not only in football fields, prohibition exists and is expanding. The sportsmen, who signed the appeal, recall that the prohibition of the headscarf “is motivated to preserve the” neutrality “of sport, to fight against” separatism “, to guarantee equality between women and men or, for reasons of hygiene and safety. But none of these reasons hold up ». He then added: “How can we claim to defend the emancipation and dignity of women, as these politicians want to do, violating their freedom of worship and, indirectly, forcing them to renounce their passion? How can we pretend to fight against “separatism”, the isolation of certain religious communities, when in fact competitions are organized excluding certain sports? ». The Hijabeuses stayed home, by force. But sports (and especially footballers) promise to take the field again, with the veil on their heads. Adherent, because you don’t disturb them. They really want to play.
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