No Headscarves, No Iranian Team in 2012 Olympics
Kathryn Montalbano: After the debate following last year’s decision by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, soccer continues its role in global religio-political contention. Warned in April 2010 that the football “monarchy” would prohibit any religious garb incorporated into athletes’ uniforms, the Iranian team designed tightly-fitting, functional headscarves for the 2012 Olympics. In a heartbreaking decision for the qualified Iranian team, FIFA said not good enough. Now the team will not participate.
