Head Coverings and Soccer - Again

Montreal Sikh teen told he can't play soccer while wearing turban
in Canada.com/sports

Yes, again, but this time, it's men's head coverings.  Still, local coaches and referees can't make a decision without consulting the books, and the books apparently still read: "no head coverings" for soccer players on the field.  No matter that the big guys at FIFA have pretty much agreed that, as long as they are not a safety hazard, women may wear head coverings to play. I think if a Sikh man can wear his turban in the line of duty as a cop or a soldier, he can certainly play soccer with a turban.

Not a whole lot of philosophy in this entry. Just a heads up.

_________

Follow up: just found a CAIR-CAN press release which states that the ban on the Montreal young men who want to wear a turban is "a violation of Canada’s various human rights codes."

The release goes on to report: "With the abundant availability of new religious headgear which can satisfy both religious and any perceived safety requirements it is clear that the ruling is discriminatory, effectively suggesting that players ‘check their religion at the door’,” said CAIR-CAN Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.

“Whether intentional or not, this ban sends the clear message to young people that what matters is not your skills on the pitch but whether or not you fit a predetermined ‘look’. In view of the recent decision (set to be ratified in July) by soccer's governing world body, FIFA, to rescind its ban on the hijab - the Muslim religious headscarf, we call on the Lac St. Louis Regional Soccer Association to allow the wearing of religious dress that does not present a health and safety hazard and to send an unambiguous message that the rulings of the Lac St. Louis Regional Soccer Association cannot supersede Canadian human rights laws. Every young person in Canada should have the right to play.” 

Had to include that quote, esp. the line about sending a message to young people that what matters really is that you fit a certain 'look', and not how you play the game.