Wednesday October 30, 2024
Iqra Ismail, center, who captained the Somali women’s team in 2019, was prevented from taking the field after refusing to wear shorts due to her religious beliefs. (Instagram: coachiqra)
LONDON, United Kingdom (HOL) — England’s Football Association (FA) has apologized to a British-Somali footballer, Iqra Ismail, who was prevented from playing a Greater London Women’s Football League (GLWFL) match for wearing tracksuit bottoms instead of shorts, citing her religious beliefs.
Ismail, 24, a former captain of Somalia’s women’s national team and a dedicated advocate for Muslim women in sports, was preparing to enter the field as a halftime substitute for United Dragons FC on Sunday. Just before her entry, however, the match referee informed her she would be unable to participate unless she complied with the league’s shorts requirement. Shocked and disheartened, Ismail explained that she had worn tracksuit bottoms in compliance with her faith throughout her five years in the league without prior issues. “It felt deeply isolating to be told I couldn’t play because of my beliefs,” Ismail said. “This is about more than clothing; it’s about feeling included and respected.”
In response, the FA issued a swift apology, emphasizing its commitment to inclusivity and affirming that players should be permitted attire that respects their religious beliefs. “We are actively coordinating with the Middlesex FA and GLWFL to ensure that inclusivity policies are followed across all levels,” an FA spokesperson stated, referencing guidance issued earlier this year to county FAs, which instructs match officials to accommodate players’ faith-based attire.
The GLWFL initially upheld the shorts requirement, believing players could wear leggings or tracksuit bottoms but were also required to wear shorts on top to match club colours. However, following the FA’s intervention, the league revised its guidance, clarifying that tracksuit bottoms alone are acceptable. “Our commitment is to ensure all players feel welcomed, comfortable, and able to participate fully,” read a league statement, which promised to reinforce the updated policy with match officials.
Ismail, who has dedicated her career to fostering safe and inclusive spaces in football, hopes the incident will catalyze broader change within sports organizations. Beyond her role as a player, Ismail founded Hilltop FC, a club dedicated to promoting Muslim women’s participation in football and advocating for inclusive practices within the sport. “When women feel they need to choose between faith and sport, the system has failed them,” she remarked. “We need policies that not only say inclusion but reflect it in practice.”
The incident spotlights the ongoing challenges Muslim women face in sports, where attire policies sometimes clash with religious beliefs, inadvertently creating barriers to participation. Ismail’s efforts to bridge these gaps, both on and off the field, have drawn attention and support, with many viewing her case as emblematic of the need for inclusivity in sports.
The FA, Middlesex FA, and GLWFL have all since reaffirmed their commitment to inclusivity and are working closely with Ismail to ensure clearer, more consistent policies for attire across leagues.