Football: Female Muslim Player’s Kit Issue
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
A Muslim woman, Iqra Ismail, has been stopped by a referee from playing wearing tracksuit bottoms instead of shorts, which is the required kit.
The incident occurred in a match in London on 27 October 2024 and she told the referee that wearing shorts compromised her religious beliefs.
Ismail, who is 24 years old, has been playing football since she was 8 years old. Originally from Somalia, she captained the women’s national team in 2019, and has always worn a long sleeve top, the team’s shirt, a sports hijab and tracksuit bottoms.
It appears that the Football Association, the English Governing Body, has stated that:
“If players wear additional garments because of their religious beliefs, they should be allowed to play.”
Football should be an all-inclusive sport and should accommodate players like Ismail, especially with the continuing rise in participation and popularity of the women’s game.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at: ‘
