The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) announced that it has immediately suspended Quebec Soccer Foundation (QSF) for their refusal to allow Sikh soccer players to wear turbans. Specifically, the QSF aimed to prohibit the Sikh keskis, patkas, or dastaar, which are smaller turbans that hold religious significance and are worn to protect the kesh (uncut hair) and guard the dasam duaar (the tenth gate). In the photograph below, Montreal soccer play Aneel Samra (below) is happy with the support that he has received from CSA and WSO.
WSO President Prem Singh Vinning said, “Sikh children were initially the victims of the QSF’s decision to uphold the ban on the turban, it is now doubly unfortunate that so many other soccer players in Quebec will also have to suffer the consequences. This entire episode has been completely unnecessary and senseless. Let all players play. It’s as simple as that. Our repeated attempts to reach out have been unsuccessful, but we call on the QSF to immediately lift their ban on the turban for the sake of all soccer players in Quebec.”
The World Sikh Organization is a non-profit organization that promotes and protects the rights of Sikh Canadians and is an advocate for all human rights irrespective of their race, religious, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
On June 6, Mr. Vinning sent a letter to QSF requesting a review of their decision to ban the turbans and called for a dialogue to address the glaring issue. However, He still has not received any response from QSF. Earlier, he had sent a letter to QSF in 2011 underlining the issue of the turbans. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, there still has been no communication between WSO and QSF to resolve the impending issue.
Montreal soccer player Aneel Samra
Victor Montagliani, President of CSA released a statement following a board meeting stating: “The Canadian Soccer Association has requested on 6 June that the Quebec Soccer Federation reverse its position on turbans/patkas/keski with no resolution. The Quebec Soccer Federation’s inaction has forced us to take measures in order to ensure soccer remains accessible to the largest number of Canadians.”
Because of the suspension, none of the Quebec all-stars are allowed to compete out of province. In addition, teams from other provinces are also not allowed to play with the QSF teams. Not only will the teams be affected, but also youth clubs will be forbidden to participate in the national championships this summer.
Any nationally sanctioned referees are forbidden to call for games in Quebec. A large number of youth will be affected due to this suspension unless referees are willing to go against the government and face fines for their actions.
WSO legal counsel Balpreet Singh said, “This situation could easily have been resolved through open discussion and dialogue. We are at a loss as to why the QSF has refused to simply talk to us. In the absence of a dialogue, we will have to look at every alternative option, including legal action against the QSF.”
WSO Vice President for Quebec Mukhbir Singh added, “We want to see this situation resolve immediately. We hope that better sense will prevail so that all Quebec children can play with their friends. In the interest of all players, the QSF should reconsider its earlier decision to ban the turban.”
The decision turned in to a contentious issue had garnered national interest. Soon after on June 15, Quebec’s soccer federation ended its much-criticized turban ban, a day after soccer’s world body said such headwear is acceptable on the pitch.
The organization made the announcement Saturday morning, saying it was relieved to receive clear instructions from FIFA.
As mentioned in the Ottawa Citizen “It has been our intention from the onset to get a confirmation that the FIFA allowed wearing of turbans, patkas or keskis,” said the Quebec federation’s executive director, Brigitte Frot. “We are very happy that the FIFA has responded to our request and by the same token dispelled the ambiguities created by a lack of clarification.”
Source: Legal Counsel, World Sikh Organization of Canada
Photo courtesy: Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press
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