Alexandre Chauveau / Photo credit: Serge ATTAL / ONLY FRANCE / Only France via AFP
A few days after the favorable opinion of the public rapporteur, the Council of State must render its decision this Thursday afternoon on the authorization or not of the wearing of ostentatious religious clothing in the world of professional sport. The decision will follow an appeal from the Hijabeuses, who are claiming the right to play football with a veil from the FFF.
It is this Thursday that the Council of State renders its decision on the appeal of the Hijabeuses who claim the right to play football with a veil from the FFF. On Monday, the public rapporteur had issued a favorable opinion on this appeal and asked the FFF to cancel article 1 of its regulations, prohibiting any wearing of a sign or political or religious outfit.
Towards the creation of case law
An opinion which triggered a wave of political reactions, the institution often having the habit of following the public rapporteur. The Council of State communicated this Wednesday by denouncing “the attacks having targeted the public rapporteur”, the highest administrative court speaking “of an attack on an institution essential for democracy”.
It must be said that the decision expected this Thursday afternoon is already causing concern. Several elected officials highlight the risk of creating case law that would weaken the concept of secularism. Especially since the Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castera has also said she is ready, if necessary, to legislate to enforce this principle. What provoke the anger of the Republicans, who had proposed to ban the wearing of religious symbols during sports competitions in 2021.
“You have opened the door to these community excesses”
“On several occasions, our LR majority has adopted this proposal. Each time, your government and your majority have rejected it by refusing to support our initiative. You have opened the door to these community abuses”, judged Michel Savin, Senator LR from Isère. To know the opinion of the Council of State, it will be necessary to be a little patient. The decision of the latter will be made this Thursday, at the beginning of the afternoon.