France’s Headscarf Sports Ban Faces Legislative Action Amid Deepening Secularism Debate

Thousands of Muslim women are excluded from sports as lawmakers push a hijab ban in all competitions

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right-Leaning

Why: The framing of the bill emphasizes protection of French secularism and national identity, with repeated focus on radicalization, neutrality, and social cohesion over religious expression. While opposing views are presented, the political momentum and support come largely from right-wing parties and figures.

A Bill That Could Ban Hijabs in All French Sports

A proposed bill in France seeks to formalize a ban on headscarves and other religious symbols in all organized sporting competitions. Backed primarily by right-wing lawmakers, the bill recently passed its first hurdle in the Senate and is awaiting debate in the National Assembly.

If enacted, the bill would make permanent what is currently a federation-level policy and would particularly impact Muslim women athletes who wear the hijab. Supporters argue it is essential to protect France’s secular identity; critics warn it would institutionalize discrimination.

The Case of Salimata Sylla

Salimata Sylla, a former captain of a basketball team from Aubervilliers, has become a central figure in the debate. In 2023, she was barred from playing a match in the National 3 league after refusing to remove her headscarf. Though her sports hijab met international standards, French basketball federation rules ban all head coverings.

Despite having played multiple games with the hijab earlier that season, Sylla was told minutes before the match that she could not participate. “They’ve excluded us from basketball courts,” she said, continuing to organize her own tournaments outside the federation's control.

The Bill’s Political and Legal Context

French sports federations currently determine their own uniform policies. While some, like international basketball authorities, allow religious head coverings, others, such as the French soccer federation, enforce bans.

The new bill, spearheaded by Senator Michel Savin, would override individual federations by codifying the ban into law. It frames the measure as a safeguard against “radicalization and proselytism” within sports environments.

No date has been set yet for debate in the National Assembly. Due to divisions among political groups, the bill’s passage is uncertain, but it has reignited a national conversation on secularism and religious freedom.

Secularism in France: Principle or Pretext?

At the heart of the debate is laïcité, France’s strict interpretation of secularism. Established in 1905, the principle mandates state neutrality in religious affairs and prohibits religious expression in public institutions.

Proponents argue the bill aligns with laïcité, ensuring that sports remain neutral spaces free from religious influence. Opponents, including legal scholars and activists, counter that secularism is being misapplied to restrict individual freedoms rather than protect them.

Nicolas Cadène, former secretary-general of the now-defunct Observatory for Laïcité, stated: “The state does not deal with religious symbols — it only prohibits them for those who represent the public administration. This law aims to exclude all these young women.”

Muslim Women Athletes Speak Out

Advocacy groups like “Les Hijabeuses,” a collective of Muslim women soccer players, have protested the current bans and the proposed legislation. They argue it forces Muslim athletes to choose between their faith and participation in sports.

Following a 2023 court ruling that upheld the soccer federation's hijab ban, Les Hijabeuses filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights, alleging a violation of religious freedom.

Their public statement read: “We reject this injustice. This law has no place in France. We will continue to fight until this choice is no longer imposed.”

Resistance from Within Sports and Government

The bill has drawn opposition from prominent French athletes and even caused divisions within the coalition government. Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner criticized the bill, calling for more inclusive policies. In contrast, other figures like former boxer Mahyar Monshipour defended the ban, describing the hijab as a symbol of gender inequality.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a key supporter of the bill, said: “The hijab radically questions the equality of men and women… You won’t find a single Islamist who doesn’t want women to wear the veil.”

Some government ministers have distanced themselves from the bill, concerned about its legal grounding and social impact, while hard-right factions remain firmly supportive.

International Scrutiny and Human Rights Concerns

France is under growing international criticism. Amnesty International published findings ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics showing that France is the only European democracy to enforce a blanket ban on religious headwear in sport.

“If the law passes, France will be the only democracy in the world to ban all religious head coverings or accessories in sports,” said Cadène.

The bill comes on the heels of broader efforts by the French government to regulate mosques, schools, and sports clubs, citing risks of radicalization. Critics see the move as part of a broader political strategy to court right-wing voters ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.

What’s Next

• The bill has passed the Senate but still awaits debate in the National Assembly.

• If passed, it would apply to all sports federations, including amateur and professional levels.

• Muslim athletes and human rights groups are preparing for legal battles, both domestically and internationally.

  
  

The future of Muslim women in French sports now rests in the hands of lawmakers. The outcome may set a precedent for how France defines secularism in the 21st century — and who is included or excluded from public life under that definition.