LONDON: England’s football governing body has asked female players to dress in accordance with their beliefs in all competitions after Muslim female footballer Iqra Ismail from Somalia was banned from playing without shorts in a match. is allowed.
Al Jazeera reported that the Football Association (FA) said they were aware of the incident that happened two days ago and Iqra Ismail revealed in a video statement on Instagram that the Greater London Women’s Football League (GLW) (FL) was not allowed to play as a substitute for the United Dragons team because he was wearing a body covering up to his feet.
The 24-year-old Muslim footballer, a former captain of Somalia’s football team who is also currently serving as a coach, said she had been playing for the GLWFL for the past 5 years in the same outfit. are
“Every year women like me are made harder and harder to play and now they have drawn the line and I am forced to play until I compromise my beliefs,” she said in the video statement. .
The London-based Somali player is involved in charity work for refugees and in his statement regarding the ban, he said, “The referee of the match told me that he was told strictly not to allow him to play in this outfit.
The player said if we don’t wear shorts we can’t play which I was told, so I stuck to my rules and was not allowed to play.
She said that such measures have made it difficult for women like her to participate in these competitions even though Iqra Ismail supports Muslim girls participating in sports.
Iqra Ismail said that football at this level should be made easier to play and the Greater London Women’s Football League is doing just the opposite.
She said that she was overwhelmed by this move and because of it she became anxious and worried.
The female footballer said that she told women like me who have been playing on the field that there is no diversity in football and why it is difficult for women and things like that.
Iqra Ismail said that it is my responsibility to guide women like myself so that they do not have to face such difficulties.
