In recent weeks, the QSF (Quebec Soccer Federation) has banned the wearing of Sikh turbans on the soccer pitch citing, “safety concerns.” I completely agree. Although it may be a betrayal of my South Asian brothers, I feel it’s important that everyone finally know the big secret. Seemingly made of cloth, the turban is actually composed of a rare titanium alloy known as, “Punjabium” (not to be confused with artist Punjabium-C). In India, the metal is used to create bullets so powerful that they can literally shoot through the core of the earth. These bullets or “balles” can thankfully only be fired by very rare guns made of kevlar, diamond, 50cent and Jack Bauer. If a turban were to come undone during a soccer match, and a player were to accidentally make contact with it, he would instantaneously shatter into a thousand pieces. I’m not necessarily sure if the QSF believes the turban possesses the capabilities outlined above, however they must know something we do not. Why else would they be the only Canadian province to ban the turban on the pitch? Why, when specifically asked by the CSA(Canadian Soccer Association) to allow turbans by extending the existing rule that allows hijabs for girls, did they say no? And finally, why must the QSF, on this occasion, pretend to care about player safety when it’s clear the real issue has more to do with a growing tide of secularism that does not favour overt symbols of religiosity? I could be wrong, though. It’s entirely possible that I’m jumping to conclusions. However, if the QSF insists that their main concern is player safety, then would it not be appropriate to provide supporting evidence? In this regard, a representative for the QSF, Birdgette Frot, the director-general of the provincial association, stated that the QSF does not have the money to commission the requisite safety studies. Frot went on further to admit that she could not recall any instances where turbans were responsible for injuries. However, she reiterated, “we don’t want to take any chances.” To use a legal metaphor, we don’t have any evidence against you, and you’ve not committed any crimes in the past. However, just to make sure you don’t commit any crimes in the future, we’re going to lock you up anyway. The QSF also pointed out that the worlds governing body of soccer, FIFA, does not specifically allow turbans. The word “specifically,” is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence. In reality, FIFA doesn’t ban them either. There are no rules or regulations that address the turban directly. | Let us for a moment indulge the QSF and agree that all this nonsense really is about player safety. What would you like the Sikh players to do? Remove the turbans? The QSF must know that for religious purposes, baptized Sikhs do not cut their hair. So, even if they could logically remove the turban, their long hair, of quite a significant length, would clearly cause safety concerns. Fine— then maybe they should tie their hair up. I agree, but we really don’t want it coming undone, and basic ties may not do the trick. I got it! Maybe they could use some kind of cloth wrap that securely keeps everything in place. You know, it would be like a turb… nondenominational secular freedom hat. The QSF has no evidence to back their safety concerns, no rules from FIFA that give legitimacy to their decision, and their national body, the CSA has specifically asked them to not go through with their ban. So, why is it that the QSF continues to shroud themselves behind a veil of rules and regulations that do not even exist? It has become obvious— almost painfully so —that this ban has more to do with provincial politics and a complex cultural history than it does actual safety. However, the strategic position of hiding behind trumped-up rules does make sense. The QSF cannot realistically say that their problem has anything to do with overt forms of religiosity. This would only lead to a debate that would call into question all forms of religiosity on the pitch from tattoos to chastity rings, to celebrations thanking god(which one(s)?) after scoring a goal. Furthermore, this unwinable debate would likely devolve into a pseudo-objective argument over what constitutes “overt.” The QSF have placed themselves in a compromising position where they cannot win, and rightfully so. Soccer, the beautiful game, is arguably the most all inclusive international sport in the world. Its minimal use of equipment allows a game to be set-up almost anywhere, and played by almost anyone regardless of income or social class. Therefore, outside of legitimate safety concerns, no individual should be relegated to the sidelines because of trivial politics. Soccer should and shall always remain a game of the masses boasting the largest availability it can. FIFA, which just recently sent a memo to the CSA permitting the wearing of turbans/patkas/keski seems to agree. “The International Football Association Board (IFAB) and FIFA have authorized the wearing of male head covers in all areas and on all levels of the Canadian football community," the memo stated. |