TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Palm Harbor Girl Isn't First Muslim Benched For Wearing Scarf

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2007

TAMPA - The benching of a teenage Muslim athlete from a soccer match over the weekend in Palm Harbor was the latest local incident involving female athletes who have been prohibited from playing sports while wearing traditional Islamic dress.

Iman Khalil, 15, booted from a match Saturday, returned to the field Sunday to play after the referee's decision was overturned by the league.

The referee ruled that the head scarf worn by Khalil violated league rules, but United Soccer Association officials said a change to the policy five years ago allowed such scarves when they are associated with religious beliefs.

During Saturday's game, the controversy hit Khalil after referee Steve Richardson forced her to sit, saying players were not allowed any type of head covering. League representatives expressed regret that she had been benched.

Ahmed Bedier, executive director of the Tampa Bay chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said his group plans to file a formal complaint to the agency that licenses and oversees referees sometime this week.

"We're requesting an inquiry and investigation of the actions of the referee," Bedier said Monday afternoon, "and whether he abused his authority and whether his decision was motivated by bias."

He said there appeared to be no direct evidence that Richardson was biased against the Muslim player, and it appeared he just was unaware of the rules. But the referee oversight agency will decide that.

"We don't see direct evidence of bias," Bedier said, "but it's a concern because we haven't heard any legitimate reasons or justifications for his actions. He allowed other kids to play. But he did not allow [Khalil] to play even after being instructed to allow her to play."

Richardson was notified at halftime of Saturday's game that the league does allow Muslim athletes to wear scarves on their heads, and he still refused to let Khalil into the game.

"He refused without giving any legitimate reason," Bedier said.

Bedier said the banning of Khalil went against the spirit of athletics.

"Sports is about being inclusive," he said, "and not exclusive."

The soccer flap was the latest of similar controversies in local sports.

-Briana Canty was just 12 years old when her refusal to take off her head scarf almost caused her to miss an AAU basketball tournament two years ago in Orlando.

The then-Greco Middle School student said, "I love my religion, and I love basketball. It's not fair that I have to choose."

She eventually was allowed to play in an Orlando tournament, after her mother and CAIR intervened.

-Andrea Armstrong, the former University of South Florida basketball player who converted to Islam and was benched after refusing to take off her head scarf, long sleeves and pants, ended up leaving the team, her scholarship, the sport and the Muslim faith altogether.

Three years ago, Armstrong, then 22, withdrew from school after the controversy. She had been the co-captain of the Bulls basketball team.

Her decision to quit school came eight days after she quit the team, despite USF's agreement to ask the National Collegiate Athletic Association to allow her to play wearing long sleeves, long pants and the traditional Muslim head covering.

Bedier said last year in Canada, an 11-year-old soccer player was banned for refusing to remove her head scarf but was allowed to play after an appeal was made to FIFA, which sets rules for international soccer play.

"Head scarf issues are coming up more and more in western countries," Bedier said. In France, scarves are prohibited in all public schools and a similar move is being made in England, he said.

"It's unfortunate," Bedier said. "The same people you want to assimilate into your culture you are isolating more and more."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT