Controversy over the hijab on the football fields: these elected officials who demand a law on secularism in sport

After the law prohibiting religious symbols at school, a similar law on secularism in sport? The idea is back in force in part of the political cl, after the appeal filed with the Council of State by a collective of “Hijabeuses” against the French Football Federation (FFF) which prohibits them from playing veiled during competitions. The public rapporteur of this institution defended the possibility for female footballers to wear the hijab on the pitch.

Since then, the debate has turned into a controversy. “The hijab in sport is NO! And we will make a law to enforce that, ”tweeted Marine Le Pen. Same request for law on the side of Nicolas Dupont-Aignan or the boss of LR Éric Ciotti. “If, in three weeks, the Council of State follows its rapporteur, will you be ready to follow the example of President Chirac and to legislate to put our sports arenas safe from religious proselytism? » asked, on Tuesday, Elisabeth Borne the boss of deputies LR Olivier Marleix, during questions to the government.

“There are people who are tired of being permanently stigmatized”

“I am totally mobilized with the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra for the strict respect of our republican principles in sport, in particular secularism and the neutrality of public service”, replied the Prime Minister, without however commenting on her wish to legislate on the subject. On RTL, Tuesday morning, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said he was “very opposed” to an authorization of the hijab on the football fields.

“How many cases does this really represent and do we really need new legislative tools? “, annoys a great elected leftist, who is worried about “possible instrumentalization”. A sound of bell, which returns in chorus at the Insoumis. “There are people who are tired of being permanently stigmatized because they want to be able to practice their religion in compliance with the law,” thunders LFI political coordinator Manuel Bompard.

If the government remains vague on its intentions, in the majority, several voices are raised to demand a law. “When you play sports, you leave your religious symbols and political sensitivities in the locker room,” storms Renaissance MP Karl Olive. Former official referee of the FFF and ex-president of the club, he says he is ready to submit a proposal for a transpartisan law.

And to add: “We never asked a teammate or a teammate of what confession he was or if he was labeled. There are places for that… At this rate, we will see turbans, veils, yarmulkes, and why not t-shirts Long live the CGT, Long live Macron or referees with a cap Long live Jesus. »