PtG Article 09.07.2010

Iran girls' soccer team may miss Youth Olympics

Iran might not send its girl’s football team to the youth Olympics in Singapore in August because of dispute over their Islamic attire.

At the unveiling of the Iranian girls' newly designed football dresses on Wednesday the deputy head of Iran's physical education department, Marzieh Akbarabadi, left in protest and was later was quoted by Iranian media saying that outfit was “inappropriate.” She argued that the outfit was not what was agreed on and Iran doesn't “need to send its team to Singapore at any cost.”FIFA demanded in April that Iran swap the traditional hijab headscarves for a cap that covers the players' hair, in order for them to take part in Singapore and the outfits were designed as a compromise with FIFA. The outfits consist of a cap, thick long-sleeved tops, below knee trousers and long stockings. Reports indicate that the Iranian federation will pursue a final version of the girls' team attire in the coming days, indicating an agreement may still be reached. SOURCE: AP