FIFA Law 4 explained

Following the ejection of Asmahan Mansour, 11, of Ottawa, for refusing to remove her hijab, controversy has surrounded the referee's interpretation of the official rule.

By Eric Alvarez
Neverwalkalone.com

FIFA President Sepp Blatter Photo: Reuters
Edgar Davids with the Netherlands National Team Photo: BBC.com

FIFA met March 3 to address the issue of banning the hijab in official gameplay.

Law 4 of the official rulebook outlines the basic equipment permitted in official play.

The rule states a jersey, shorts, socks, shin guards and appropriate footwear must be worn at all times.

The rule also bans all forms of jewelry and states "the player at fault is instructed by the referee to leave the field of play to correct his equipment."

The law also says the referee of each particular match has the authority to decide the eligibility of a player based on his or her equipment.

Bend it like Davids
Perhaps the most recognized addition to rule regarding the basic equipment allowed by FIFA came in the form of Edgar Davids' prescription eyewear. The Dutch international suffers from glaucoma and wears protective goggles during matches.

FIFA laws allow the use of protective equipment such as bandages, goggles and braces made of soft, padded material. The rule does not outline a list of acceptable items, however..

Goalkeepers who run more risk of head injury than field players because they spend more time on the ground and between the posts have always had the option of sporting padded headgear. In addition, they are allowed to wear hats with soft bills to fight the glare of the sun.

Of course this plays into the argument of those who oppose the Mansour ejection. "The hijab poses no more of a safety threat than does long hair," said Edina Lekovic, communication director for the Muslim Public Affairs Council. "To suggest that someone could get hurt because of a piece of cloth is just asinine."

The argument against the hijab is that the garment wraps around the chin and neck of the player who wears it. The hijab does not necessarily pose a safety threat to others but could result in neck injury or strangulation if tangled with another player .

Brian Barwick, chief executive of the Football Association of England, supported the decision of the referee in Quebec.

"I think it's absolutely right to be sensitive to people's thoughts and philosophies," Barwick said in a press conference. "But equally football has a set of laws that must be adhered to."

The comment was as close to an official decision as FIFA made, indicating it stated the rules clearly and the matter is now a judgment call to be made by the individual referee.