MWSF supports reversal of IFAB ruling.
The Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation (MWSF) is pleased to see that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will be considering the requests of the world to review and reverse its previous amendment to Law 4 in relation to religious representation on the field of play.
They believe such a ruling is in contradiction with FIFA’sMissionand promise to use football “as a symbol of hope and integration”, particularly where people “are still deprived of their basic rights”.
Chair of the MWSF, Rimla Akhtar, notes, “There is much great work being undertaken across the world to improve access to sport for all communities, regardless of gender, faith, ethnicity etc and there is a danger that such work will have to move away from the affiliated efforts of national FAs, UEFA and FIFA if Law 4 remains in its current form.
We work very closely with the English Football Association and have seen the positive common sense approach that the organisation has taken in relation to religious representation in football. We hope that this will serve as an example of what can be achieved when we truly open up to all communities.”
The MWSF are greatly appreciative of and fully support the efforts of HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Vice President at FIFA, and his team to overturn this ruling in its current form in the name of inclusion.
FIFA aims to help overcome obstacles that prevent people from participating in football, thereby extending the Football Family and ensuring Football is for All.
The MWSF is therefore hopeful that the meeting of IFAB on 3 March will result in a positive outcome for men and women of all faiths across the world.
