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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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13 February 2008

Press Release: UK – IHRC welcomes the FA’s decision to issue guidance on dress code

IHRC welcomes the FA’s decision to issue guidance on dress code to all coach educators in the UK.

This was in response to an incident in November 2007 where a Muslim trainee coach was prevented from delivering a coaching session for wearing tracksuit bottoms instead of shorts.

The coach educator refused to accept that Muslim men are not permitted to reveal their body from their navel to their knees.

Complaints to the FA were made by IHRC and a third party. The FA have committed to ensuring such instances are never repeated and have issued new guidance to all coach educators in the UK to clarify their position.

Massoud Shadjareh, Chair of IHRC, said:

“We are pleased with the Football Association’s prompt response to this incident. The new guidance will reinforce the FA’s commitment to respecting people of other faiths.”

For more information, please contact IHRC on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958 522 196 or email info@ihrc.org[ENDS]
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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org.uk