France’s highest administrative court has ruled that the country’s football federation is entitled to ban hijab (headscarves) in competitions even though the measure can limit freedom of expression.
The Council of State issued its ruling on Thursday after a group of headscarf-wearing football players called "Les Hijabeuses" campaigned against the ban and launched legal action, ESPN reports.
The ruling is likely to refuel the lingering debate on secularism -- still volatile more than a century after the 1905 law on the separation of church and state that established it as a principle of the French Republic.
The French football federation bans players from wearing headscarves and other religious symbols in official matches, as well as at competitions it organises.
It's not in line with the recommendations of the football governing body FIFA, which allows players to compete at international level with headscarves.
The French federation said the ruling gave it the opportunity to "reaffirm the republican and civic values that underpin football, and its total commitment to combating all forms of discrimination and promoting gender equality."
The Council of State said sports federations "may impose on their players an obligation to wear neutral clothing during sporting competitions and events, in order to guarantee the smooth running of matches and prevent clashes or confrontation. It considers that the ban imposed by the FFF is appropriate and proportionate."
It is unclear whether the ban would be implemented for next year's Paris Olympics.
The court recalled that federations are free to determine the rules for participation in their events, including rules on clothing and equipment.
French Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin told RTL radio earlier this week he was opposed to the wearing of the hijab during sports competitions.
"You don't wear religious clothes when you play sports," he said. "When you play football, you don't need to know the religion of the person in front of you."