Statement by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), on the International Football Association Board Decision to Allow the Wearing of Head Covers

OTTAWA, March 3, 2014 /CNW/ - On March 1, 2014, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved changes to the Laws of the Game governing soccer. In particular, the IFAB approved the modification to the interpretation of 'Law 4 - The Players' Equipment' specifying the provisions by which male and female players can now wear head covers. After a two-year pilot, The IFAB agreed that there was no indication as to why the wearing of head covers should be prohibited, as long as their design restrictions are respected in line with the new wording of Law 4, which will come into effect on June 1, 2014.

As Minister of State for Sport, I congratulate the IFAB and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for adopting this modification, which should encourage more participation in the sport of soccer in Canada, especially by children.

As I stated last June, we all should be proud of our country's diversity and the fact that people in our great nation have the opportunity to enjoy participating in the sport of their choice, free from discrimination of any kind.

I fully agree with the IFAB that there is no indication as to why the wearing of head covers should be prohibited.

The Government of Canada is a major supporter of the Canadian sport system and provides funding to eligible national sport organizations to support them in their goal of increasing barrier-free participation and excellence in their respective sports.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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Robert Lynch
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
[email protected]