QUEBEC CITY – Quebec politicians were split Tuesday about whether they agree with a Quebec Soccer Federation decision to ban turbans on soccer fields.
The ban has sparked complaints from Sikh families who want their children to have the play in leagues in the province.
The Federation insists it’s a safety issue, although a spokesperson admitted the Federation is unclear about what safety risks the turbans pose.
About 200 children in the Montreal area will not be allowed to play because of the ban.
Coalition Avenir Quebec leader Francois Legault said Tuesday he agreed with the Quebec Soccer Federation ruling, but the Liberal Party argued that the ban is unfair and discriminatory.
“I’m just saynig on the subject that the Hijab the international and Canadian Federations are allowing people to play with the hijab. At the same time they are studying . . . to see the danger to play in the hijab,” noted the leader of the official opposition, Liberal MNA Jean-Marc Fournier.
“Why not the same answer for the Sikhs?”
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