International Board authorises men to wear turbans in Canada

IFAB (International Football Association Board), FIFA's rule-making body, decided on the 13/06/2013, ""to allow male players in Canada to wear head covers" during matches. This decision extends the original ruling made on 02/10/2012 to allow female players to wear certain religious headwear.

FIFA sent a letter to the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) on 13/06/2013 informing them that the head cover ruling encompasses "all areas and on all levels of the Canadian football community." The CSA had suspended the FSQ (Quebec Soccer Federation) on the 11/06/2013, with immediate effect, for banning players from wearing turbans. Quebec was the only Canadian province to have enforced a ban.

The FSQ's board of directors immediately took note of IFAB's decision, and on 14/06/2013 the ban on turbans was lifted, which releases the FSQ from suspension.

Quebecois footballers, especially those of Sikh origin, are now allowed to wear turbans on the pitch.

• The issue will be further discussed by the IFAB in October 2013.
• A final decision will be taken at the next annual general meeting in March 2014.
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