Quebec suspended from soccer if turban ban remains







Quebec premier Pauline Marois has decided to defend the Quebec Soccer Federation's position on disallowing children to wear turbans during soccer games. Turbans are worn by those following the Sikh religion, and are an important part of their religious beliefs. What prompted the premier to make her position known publicly?

A ban on the Quebec provincial soccer association by the Canadian Soccer association due to its policy of banning turbans. The national soccer organization said it will continue the ban on the Quebec soccer branch, as long as it continues to disallow  turbans.

At this point premier Marois stepped in, making it an issue of Quebec sovereignty and claiming the Canadian Soccer Association had no right to intervene on decisions made in the province of Quebec.

"I believe the Quebec federation has the right to make its own rules, it's autonomous, it's not bound by the Canadian federation," premier Marois, said in Quebec City.

The Quebec premier was not the only one up in arms about the Canadian Soccer Associations decision. Quebec cabinet minister Bernard Drainville also took issue with what he believes is the imposition of rules onto what should be an autonomous organization.

"It is not up to the Canadian association to decide what is going on Quebec soccer fields — this power belongs to the Quebec Soccer Federation," Drainville told reporters.

Unfortunately for the Quebec premier, and her ministers, there is a hierarchy in organizations like this. The Canadian Soccer Association reports to FIFA, which is the world soccer federation therefore it is only natural for a provincial soccer entity to report to the next higher up body.

But what is the real issue here? Quebec sovereignty? No. The heart of the issue concerns religion, more accurately the Quebec government’s desire for secularization in public places, free of anything related to religion.

A leading Quebec amateur soccer coach Samir Ghrib expressed a position that is shared with many Quebec government leaders.

"Religion doesn't have a place on sports fields, the soccer field must remain neutral, said Ghrib”

Even physicians such as soccer coach Dr. Sanjeet Singh Saluja have spoken publicly saying there are no negative medical consequences from wearing a turban during a soccer game. 

Federal leaders on both sides have also condemned the Quebec government’s position on this issue. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney tweeted his support for the Canadian Soccer Association’s decision.

"Good to see CDN Soccer Association take action against the Quebec Soccer Federation over its ridiculous turban ban."

Leader of the liberal party Justin Trudeau also came out in support via twitter.

"Barring kids from playing soccer because they wear a turban is wrong. The CSA is right to suspend the #QSF."

In an effort to promote the secularization of public spaces, the Quebec government is hurting children, by putting up roadblocks in their desire to participate in sports. Canada is a multicultural country which accepts different religions and cultures, the ban on turbans says more to the government of Quebec’s xenophobia than their desire to promote good sportsmanship and neutrality.  


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