The United Nations has asked the football world governing body, FIFA, to overturn a ban on female players wearing the hijab — the Islamic headscarf — in matches.

In a letter to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, the UN said on March 1 that overturning the ban would give everyone an equal right to play football.

FIFA Vice President Prince Ali Al Hussein of Jordan, who campaigns against the ban, is to address a meeting by FIFA’s law-making body on March 3 to raise the issue.

The ban was introduced five years ago. Iran had to forfeit an Olympic women’s qualifier against Jordan last June because Iranian players reportedly refused to play without the hijab.

Source : RFE/RL