PARIS: France's top administrative court on Thursday upheld the controversial ban barring women football players from wearing hijab (headscarves) during games, terming the ban "appropriate and proportionate".
A statement from the Constitutional Council stated that the sporting federation was in its right to ensure "good functioning of public services" and could impose "neutral requirements on players".
"Sporting federations whose task is to ensure the good functioning of public services... can impose a neutrality requirement on their players in competitions and sporting events, to guarantee the smooth running of matches and any clashes or confrontation," the statement read.
It further added that the French Football Federation (FFF) rule against "any sign or clothing clearly showing political, philosophical, religious or union affiliation" during play was "appropriate and proportionate".
A group of Muslim women footballers called the "Hijabeuses" had launched action against the FFF regulation.
The FFF said simply that it had "taken note" of the ruling, adding that the sporting body "reaffirms the republican and civic values that bring football to life, and its total commitment to fighting all forms of discrimination and promoting female-male equality".
Marion Ogier, a lawyer for the "Hijabeuses", said the decision "upsets secularism and freedom of expression" as well as "abusing 30 years of legal precedent" on the question.
"This decision goes against social cohesion in a country founded on diversity and pluralism," she told AFP.
Judges had found themselves under political pressure ahead of the ruling as mainstream parties look to fend off the far right riding high in the polls.
Secularism is a sensitive topic in France, presented by its defenders as a way of guaranteeing the state's religious neutrality and by critics as a dog-whistle against ethnic and religious minorities, especially Muslims.
A Monday boost for the "Hijabeuses", when the state's legal advisor concluded the rule was unjustified, prompted a wave of political condemnation.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, a law-and-order hardliner, said Tuesday, "I hope profoundly for the republic that (judges) uphold neutrality on sports fields."
The "Hijabeuses" were hoping to give the republic a "battering", Darmanin added.
"You shouldn't wear religious clothing when you play sports... when you play football, you don't need to know the religion of the person in front of you," he said.
Other voices from the conservative Republicans party and far-right National Rally have also chimed in.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen wrote on Twitter: "No to the hijab in sport. And we will pass a law to make sure it is respected."
Republicans chief Eric Ciotti said his party — which holds just 62 seats in France's 577-seat parliament — would introduce a bill on the topic if the court allowed the hijab.
Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera has also suggested Macron's government could legislate, saying: "we aren't ruling anything out" and "we can see that there's a need for clarification".
The Constitutional Council itself shot back Wednesday at what it said were "attacks aimed at the administrative branch and especially the legal advisor".
Questioning the workings of the courts was "an attack on an institution that is essential for democracy," the body added, saying it could take legal action in cases of "insult, defamation, incitement to hatred or threats".
PCB chief assures ICC delegation of world-class arrangements ahead of mega event next year
Visitors secure 2-1 series victory after successfully chasing down Green Shirts' 153-run total
Batting first, Green Shirts put up 182-run target and restricted Proteas to 168/4
Dolphins score 192 runs as they fail to chase 285-run target set by Rizwan-led dominant Markhors
Instead of focusing on replacing captains, focus on how you can incrementally strengthen the current side
White-ball head coach says country has several talented cricketers who only need minor adjustments, fine-tuning