Female Muslim footballer stopped from wearing tracksuit bottoms

A football coach and refugee advocate was prevented from playing because she wears tracksuit bottoms rather than shorts, which she says compromises her religious beliefs.

Iqra Ismail, who captained Somalia in 2019 and established Hilltop FC, told BBC London the issue arose when she signed for Regent’s Park grassroots team United Dragons FC.

The 24-year-old from west London was expected to play her first game on Sunday against an east London team.

“I was warmed up, I was ready to go,” she said.

“I came on at half time and the referee told me that I wouldn’t be able to play unless I was wearing shorts.

“I have been playing the same league for nearly five years wearing the same tracksuit bottoms and I’ve never worn shorts playing competitively.

“I told him that I wasn’t comfortable wearing shorts in any capacity.

“It was a shock to me that the referee took such a strong stance of it.

“I was very visibly upset as the game was going on, my teammates and the manager were very supportive. Everyone has been devastated.”

Ms Ismail, who has played football since she was eight, said she has always worn a long sleeve top, the team’s shirt, a sports hijab and tracksuit bottoms as well as shin pads and other necessary equipment.

“I know a lot of women [of the same faith and beliefs] who don’t play actively in these leagues, even though they are very capable of doing so, because they don’t feel comfortable wearing shorts. That’s the reason they do not play.”

She said it was the tracksuit bottoms that were the problem, not the long sleeve top.

The Greater London Women’s Football League, of which United Dragons FC is a member, appears to be in contravention of the guidance given by the Football Association (FA) instructing to be lenient regarding the issue, but official FA rules state that tracksuit bottoms are only to be worn by the goalkeeper.

“The FA communicated to them that if players wear additional garments because of their religious beliefs, they should be allowed to play,” Ms Ismail said.

A later communication issued by the Greater London Women’s Football League confirmed players must not wear tracksuit bottoms.

Ms Ismail said while working as a coach she tried to give the league guidance on the issue, referencing the FA’s advice about leniency – but she was met with a reference to a specific clause in the kit rules.

“For some reason they have decided not to budge.

“Tape or undershirt being the right colour – the referees don’t pull anyone up on that.

“It’s been one step forward and two steps back with this issue.

“In the past few years, I’ve been advocating for Muslim women to have a safe space in the game.”

“For example, we hosted a women-only alcohol-free viewing of the FA cup final, for Muslim women to feel comfortable and included.

“It’s been difficult to see the hard work that a lot of us have put in start to be undone by incidents like this.”

Ms Ismail says she hopes to back on the pitch soon, and is working with the FA and with the league to change the rules, with a longer term plan to work with the International Football Association Board to change the rules on an international scale.

“Your religious principles and what you’re comfortable have to take precedence.

“People say when you’re on the pitch, you’re a player, but I believe you should be able to bring your culture and your identity with you, yes it’s a personal act of defiance, but it’s so much bigger than just me.”

A spokesperson from the FA said: “We are aware of this matter and we are in contact with Middlesex FA to ensure that it is quickly resolved.

“We proactively wrote to all county FAs and match officials across the women’s grassroots game earlier this year to confirm that women and girls should be allowed to wear clothing that ensures their faith or religious beliefs are not compromised. We remain deeply committed to ensuring that English football is an inclusive and welcoming environment for everybody.”

The FA confirmed that they were in contact with Ms Ismail directly to provide support and to assure that they were working to resolve the matter.