ZURICH -- The global soccer players' union is backing a campaign to change FIFA's laws of the game to allow Islamic women to wear hijabs.
"The current ban on wearing headscarves for religious reasons is discrimination," said Frederique Winia, a spokeswoman for the union, FIFPro.
Soccer's rules-making panel outlawed hijabs for safety reasons in 2007, and will consider lifting the ban at a March 3 meeting in England.
FIFPro is backing FIFA vice president Prince Ali of Jordan, who will show the panel a headscarf held in place by a Velcro fastener.
Since the ban, FIFA has allowed Islamic players to wear a cap, but some objected because it exposes their neck.
The dispute was highlighted when Iran's women's team forfeited 2012 Olympics qualifying matches last year.
