Sikh back in soccer game as referee ban overturned

[DJT]

From The Globe & Mail:

By PETTI FONG

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

VANCOUVER -- Gurinder Dhah scored no goals, didn't even get an assist yesterday, but he made it onto the soccer field in Langley and that's a big enough victory for the 17-year-old player.

The Calgary high-school student was told he couldn't play in a soccer tournament on the weekend because of his patka, a head scarf worn by Sikh men.

When a referee told Gurinder that non-soccer related clothing items couldn't be worn on the field, the player was given the choice to remove his patka or leave the game.

Gurinder kept his patka and he and his teammates from Calgary's Northwest United gave up the game.

"I couldn't believe it. That has never happened to me ever before," Gurinder said yesterday. "I'm just really glad my team stuck by me."

The patka is a small scarf usually about half a metre long and half a metre wide worn on top of the head where the long hair is knotted. It is less formal than a full turban and worn for swimming and sports.

B.C. Soccer Association officials said a rule that prohibits equipment that could endanger players or referees may have been misinterpreted. Gurinder said he couldn't believe the rules, and in 10 years of playing soccer, no one had ever made a fuss about his patka. A player from Williams Lake who wore one was also told he couldn't play.

The Langley Labour Day Tournament, with more than 200 teams from Western Canada competing, wrapped up yesterday.

Gurinder was allowed to play the first day as well as yesterday.

His father, Gurmit Dhah, said no explanation was given for why some referees allowed his son to play, while others did not.

"He was very much hurt inside when he learned he couldn't play, but he had his teammates back him up and he knew, and everyone knew, that it was the wrong decision to not allow him to play," said Mr. Dhah yesterday. "When he showed up this morning, no one said a word and he just began to play."

The French government banned all religious headgear in schools last year. Three Sikh students there who were expelled for refusing to comply lost their court cases.

The B.C. Soccer Association issued a statement saying it regrets the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation.

The association said referees apply their own judgment on how to apply the rules of FIFA, the international federation for soccer. One of the rules is the prohibition of any equipment that would be unsafe to players and officials involved in a soccer match.

President Victor Montagliani of the B.C. Soccer Association said that doesn't apply to religious head coverings.

"B.C. Soccer has never sent out an edict saying it shouldn't be allowed. Perhaps there was a misinterpretation and perhaps there were some personalities involved," he said yesterday.

Mr. Montagliani said with 2,000 referees, it's possible that some of them misinterpreted the rules. All the referees are volunteers and the association will make clear in the future that religious headgear is allowed.

[G-Man]

quote:Originally posted by DJT

From The Globe & Mail:

By PETTI FONG

Tuesday, September 6, 2005

VANCOUVER -- Gurinder Dhah scored no goals, didn't even get an assist yesterday, but he made it onto the soccer field in Langley and that's a big enough victory for the 17-year-old player.

The Calgary high-school student was told he couldn't play in a soccer tournament on the weekend because of his patka, a head scarf worn by Sikh men.

When a referee told Gurinder that non-soccer related clothing items couldn't be worn on the field, the player was given the choice to remove his patka or leave the game.

Gurinder kept his patka and he and his teammates from Calgary's Northwest United gave up the game.

"I couldn't believe it. That has never happened to me ever before," Gurinder said yesterday. "I'm just really glad my team stuck by me."

The patka is a small scarf usually about half a metre long and half a metre wide worn on top of the head where the long hair is knotted. It is less formal than a full turban and worn for swimming and sports.

B.C. Soccer Association officials said a rule that prohibits equipment that could endanger players or referees may have been misinterpreted. Gurinder said he couldn't believe the rules, and in 10 years of playing soccer, no one had ever made a fuss about his patka. A player from Williams Lake who wore one was also told he couldn't play.

The Langley Labour Day Tournament, with more than 200 teams from Western Canada competing, wrapped up yesterday.

Gurinder was allowed to play the first day as well as yesterday.

His father, Gurmit Dhah, said no explanation was given for why some referees allowed his son to play, while others did not.

"He was very much hurt inside when he learned he couldn't play, but he had his teammates back him up and he knew, and everyone knew, that it was the wrong decision to not allow him to play," said Mr. Dhah yesterday. "When he showed up this morning, no one said a word and he just began to play."

The French government banned all religious headgear in schools last year. Three Sikh students there who were expelled for refusing to comply lost their court cases.

The B.C. Soccer Association issued a statement saying it regrets the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation.

The association said referees apply their own judgment on how to apply the rules of FIFA, the international federation for soccer. One of the rules is the prohibition of any equipment that would be unsafe to players and officials involved in a soccer match.

President Victor Montagliani of the B.C. Soccer Association said that doesn't apply to religious head coverings.

"B.C. Soccer has never sent out an edict saying it shouldn't be allowed. Perhaps there was a misinterpretation and perhaps there were some personalities involved," he said yesterday.

Mr. Montagliani said with 2,000 referees, it's possible that some of them misinterpreted the rules. All the referees are volunteers and the association will make clear in the future that religious headgear is allowed.

more proof that refs are idiots.

[Richard]

Clearly this incident appears to be the result of poor judgement or perhaps a naive and inexperienced young referee, we don't know any of the facts beyond what little has been reported in the media.

I think it is grossly unfair and rather unthinking to generalise with statements like "more proof that refs are idiots". There are plenty of quite adequate and many very good referees in Canada. How many of those of you who are routinely super-critical of referees have ever tried refereeing regularly at any level and have never made a mistake or even a questionable call?

[Johnnie Monster]

If I'm not mistaken, I recall reading another article where some refs alleged that the BCSA **did** ask them to enforce the latest FIFA rulings, which included hats, visors, tocques and headwear.

Not sure if the FIFA rule specifically identifies **religious** headwear, but the point is there have been claims that the refs DID receive pressure from the BCSA in advance of the tournament.

If this is true, then it appears the BCSA is covering their asses and stabbing refs in the back. These comments by BCSA officials about refs with "personality conflicts" and "misinterpretations" are a bit rough, I think.

[Richard]

If there has been a policy change at any level that prohibits these particular items of headwear then it is very recent as I have seen dozens of young east Indian lads wearing precisely this form of headgear at game after game all across the lower mainland as recently as last winter. Never has any referee banned them from participating in games till now. The BCSA has published a quite categorical statement about this incident on their website...

http://www.bcsoccer.net/bcm/bcsoccer/bcsoccer-website.nsf/AllDoc/1E6228250D62DA4C872570730064D81E?OpenDocument

[Chet]

Has anyone noticed that no one on the Canadian women's team has been wearing those head protectors we saw a couple of years ago? Hooper and Latham both wore them, but both were bare-headed in the games against Germany. Have these been banned under the new FIFA directives?

[Guest Ed]

quote:Originally posted by Sigma

On the CTV national report, they had interviewed the tournament director who basically said they were following the rules of the BC Soccer Association.

That has also been reported in the Calgary press (i.e., The referees were briefed during the week prior to this tournament to strictly enforce the no clothing or jewellery outside of what is required for soccer rules). Piss up and brewery once again come to mind.

[Richard]

I suspect the problem has arisen as a result of the Langley tournament organisers possibly overzealous interpretation of the clothing rule.

[socerfan]

i played in the LLD tournament this past week end and was suprised at how strict the refs were about articles being worn. livestrong armbands and other band such as them were not allowed, as well, tapping earings was "no longer acceptable", a member of a girls team told me they couldn't wear clips, no matter how small, in their hair. i talked to the ref after the game and he just said they (the refs) were given very strict "orders" that nothing could be worn but that which is encompased by the uniform. i personally was suprised these rules went so far as to ban religious items, but it was a mistake as stated.

[beachesl]

It would be clearly against the Charter of Rights guarantees of religious freedom and expression of opinion, unless the safety rule in this case would be clearly established, and there is no way it could be justified.

[Cheeta]

Is a patka a religious symbol or just a practical Sikh equivelant to a headband? Ethnic fashion as it were. I'm assuming religious since the lad and his mates left the field. I ask because I don't know. Never seen them on the field of play before. Just trying to find a defence for the ref...

Almost all jewelry is a definate no-no. Has been since last winter. A bit curious that my hemp bracklets were okay but not other soft jewelry.

And it's pretty hard to ask someone to remove their crucifix if it's pretty modest and the chain long enough that it'll stay under the shirt. Guess you're within your rights to as a ref, but it comes off as being in pretty poor form dosen't it?

[DoyleG]