Qatar forfeits game in protest over hijab ruling

Qatar's women's basketball team leaves the court after forfeiting their women's basketball game against Mongolia at Hwaseong Sports Complex during the 17th Asian Games in Incheon September 24, 2014. The Qatar women's basketball team refused to play in their Asian Games group match against Mongolia on Wednesday after being refused permission to wear the hijab. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Min/Sports Chosun (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA

The Qatar women’s basketball team forfeited its Asian Games match against Mongolia after players were refused permission to wear a hijab.

Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee spokeswoman Anna Jihyun You told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the players “had refused to take off the hijab” and the match was awarded to the opposition.

You said the sport’s world governing body, FIBA, “did not provide any instructions” on any moves to relax regulations to the match officials, who quoted regulations that prohibit the use of headgear, hair accessories and jewellery in international competition.

FIBA earlier this month announced it was launching a two-year trial phase allowing players to wear head coverings, after seeking permission, and in domestic competitions.