Table of Contents
- 1 “I was ready to play, but the referee stopped me”
- 2 Apologies from the FA Association
- 3 The rules: only the goalkeeper can wear tracksuit trousers
- 4 “I fight for the rights of Muslim women”
- 5 **Past:** You mentioned this wasn’t the first time you’ve worn tracksuit bottoms while playing. Can you describe an earlier experience where you faced challenges due to your attire choice, and how that shaped your decision to continue advocating for change?
Sweatpants instead of shorts as I am Muslim. Iqra Ismail, of Somali origin and supporter of refugees, was excluded from the team due to her religious beliefs. The 24-year-old footballer said the problem arose when she signed at Regent’s Park, United Dragons FC. The 24-year-old was due to play her first match against an east London team on Sunday but was told by the referee that club shorts were mandatory.
“I was ready to play, but the referee stopped me”
“I was ready to play, but when I came onto the pitch at half-time the referee told me I couldn’t play if I wasn’t wearing shorts,” Ismail told the BBC. “I played in the same league for almost five years wearing shorts. same sweatpants, never shorts. I told him I didn’t feel comfortable wearing shorts. It was a shock that the referee had taken such a strong stance. I was visibly shaken during the match, but my teammates team and the manager have me supported a lot.”
Apologies from the FA Association
Ismail, who has played football since she was eight, said she has always worn a long-sleeved top, team jersey, a sports hijab and tracksuit bottoms. “I know a lot of women who don’t play in these leagues, even if they’re good, because they don’t feel comfortable in shorts.”
The Greater London Women’s Football League, of which United Dragons FC is part, said it would update its guidelines for all match officials. The Football Association immediately apologized to the player: “Earlier this year we wrote to everyone to confirm that women must be allowed to wear clothing in line with their faith. We remain deeply committed to ensuring that English football be an inclusive and welcoming environment.”
The rules: only the goalkeeper can wear tracksuit trousers
Official FA rules state that tracksuit bottoms may only be worn by the goalkeeper. However, the League said it had been working with the FA to “better understand” the details of the guidelines relating to what women and girls can wear when playing football, to “ensure that their faith or religious beliefs are not compromised.”
“I fight for the rights of Muslim women”
“It was one step forward and two steps back,” Ismail underlined. “In recent years I have fought for Muslim women to have a safe space in the game. For example, we hosted a women-only, alcohol-free viewing of the FA Cup final, for Muslim women to feel comfortable and included. It was difficult to see that the hard work many of us had done was undone by incidents like this. Religious principles and what makes you feel comfortable must take precedence .People say that when you are On the pitch you are a player, but I believe you should be able to bring your culture and your identity with you.”
#England #Muslim #footballer #wears #tracksuit #bottoms #referee #bans #playing
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**Past:** You mentioned this wasn’t the first time you’ve worn tracksuit bottoms while playing. Can you describe an earlier experience where you faced challenges due to your attire choice, and how that shaped your decision to continue advocating for change?
## World Today News Exclusive Interview: Iqra Ismail and the Fight for Inclusivity in Football
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re discussing a critical issue in women’s football: religious inclusivity. Recently, 24-year-old Muslim footballer Iqra Ismail was prevented from playing due to her choice of attire – tracksuit bottoms instead of shorts. Ms. Ismail joins us today, along with [Name of football association representative], to discuss this incident and the broader implications for women’s football.
**Section 1: The Incident and Its Impact**
* **Ms. Ismail:** You mentioned a referee prevented you from playing because of your clothing. Can you describe what happened and how it made you feel?
* **Ms. Ismail:** This wasn’t the first time you’ve worn tracksuit bottoms while playing. What changes, if any, have you noticed regarding attitudes towards female footballers and their attire?
* **[Football association representative]:** What was the official response to Ms. Ismail’s experience, and what steps are being taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again?
**Section 2: Religious Expression vs.Rules and Regulations**
* **Ms. Ismail:** Do you believe there is a conflict between expressing your religious beliefs and following the rules of the game?
* **[Football association representative]:** What are the official FA regulations concerning player attire, specifically for women, and how do these guidelines address religious expression?
* **Open Discussion:** How can we strike a balance between respecting religious beliefs and upholding the integrity of the sport?
**Section 3: Promoting Inclusivity and Representation in Football**
* **Ms. Ismail:** What message do you want to send to young Muslim girls who might be hesitant to participate in football due to perceived barriers?
* **[Football association representative]:** How is the FA working to encourage participation from diverse communities and ensure football is a welcoming space for everyone?
* **Open Discussion:** What role can individuals, teams, and organizations play in promoting inclusivity and representation in football?
**Conclusion**
Thank you both for sharing your perspectives on this important issue. Ms. Ismail’s experience highlights the need for ongoing dialog and action to ensure football is truly a sport for all. We hope this discussion has shed light on the challenges and opportunities for creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for female footballers from all backgrounds.
This interview framework aims to:
* **Encourage open and honest dialog:** Using open-ended questions allows for nuanced responses and a deeper understanding of the perspectives involved.
* **Highlight different viewpoints:** Featuring both Ms. Ismail and a representative from the football association provides a balanced and multi-faceted discussion.
* **Focus on key themes:** Dividing the interview into thematic sections allows for a structured and comprehensive exploration of the issues.
* **Promote engagement:** The open discussion segments encourage audience participation and thoughtful reflection.
This format ensures a thoughtful and insightful exploration of the issue, contributing to a more informed and inclusive conversation surrounding women’s football.
