As Canada defends against charges of racism, Quebec flouts turban policy

On Monday, Canadian-American forward Sydney Leroux tweeted and accused Canadian fans of using racial slurs against her. It was later clarified that she wasn’t talking about Sunday’s emotionally-charged women’s friendly at BMO Field between Canada and the United States, but the 2012 Olympic qualifying tournament in Vancouver.

The U.S. Soccer Federation made no complaint in 2012, so Leroux’s accusations of racism in Canada should blow over. Or, should have blown over. But, just hours before Leroux’s tweet, the Quebec Soccer Federation voted to ignore a Canadian Soccer Association directive, which asks its provincial members to allow Sikh headgear on the pitches.

That directive was issued to force Quebec’s hand, as the provincial organization continued to ban turbans, even though they’re allowed in other parts of the country.

So, it’s hard for Canadians to be indignant about racism claims when our second-largest province makes a high-profile decision that makes headlines around the world. Seriously, you Google “turban” and “soccer” and you’ll find pages and pages of links to stories about the Quebec turban ban.

Awesome, in a way that a car crash is awesome.

On Sunday, a day when we were supposed to be celebrating equality in soccer, with a women’s game getting more hype than any men’s game in recent memory, Quebec’s soccer body decided to renew a policy which excludes a segment of the population from playing organized soccer.

Yup, no racists here!

What makes the Quebec decision so, well, infuriating is that the administrators there managed to turn what had become a non-issue in Canada into a hot potato. The other, ahem, Big Four soccer associations, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, have no issues with players wearing religious headgear.

“Even prior to the recent CSA position, turbans were allowed in Alberta going back more years than I know,” Alberta Soccer Association executive director Richard Adams said Tuesday.

As an Albertan (OK, an Ontarian who has moved to Alberta), it’s in my nature to be highly suspicious of big government and centralization. But in the case of Quebec and the turban ban, it’s time for the Canadian Soccer Association to flex its muscles. Its policies allow for turbans, and it’s time to rein in what is a rogue organization.

It’s true that it’s not in the CSA’s mandate to force provincial associations to change their ways. Provincial associations look after their own internal affairs. But the CSA does administer national tournaments. It’s this simple. If Quebec chooses to ban certain segments of the population from playing soccer because of religious beliefs, maybe Quebec teams shouldn’t be invited to nationals until their provincial association understand that banning people based on faith isn’t a safety issue, it’s a bigotry issue.

The majority of Quebecers, the kids who play organized soccer, would unfortunately be affected. But that’s how sanctions work; they force people to understand that they are partially or wholly responsible for the government they choose. Want to get back in? Demand change.

It would also be reassuring — and a source of positive pressure — for the Montreal Impact issue a statement in support of the CSA directive. When pro clubs talk, people listen.

Quebec has used FIFA’s decision not to have a stance on religious headgear as an excuse. Because FIFA doesn’t have a position, Quebec’s soccer body claims its OK for it to take the anti-turban stance. If FIFA endorses turbans, the Quebec federation promises to follow.

What a load. Really. The Canadian Soccer Association already has a directive in place (the one that Adams mentioned earlier) to ensure Sikh kids can play. That directive was issued last April, and was aimed directly at Quebec. That’s because the other associations in the country accommodate the turban. As you can tell by what Adams said, in Alberta — like the other jurisdictions — this really was a non-issue.

When the CSA issued the directive, World Sikh Organization President Prem Singh Vinning said, “The accommodation of the turban already takes place not just across Canada but across the world. There is no reason why the turban can’t be accommodated. We’re glad the CSA has clarified the issue for referees and has hopefully resolved this matter for good.”

Famous last words, Mr. Vinning. Because Quebec has decided instead to thumb its nose at the Canadian Soccer Association.

In 2006, Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley soccer association apologized for not allowing a teen to play in a patka. (CLICK HERE) Later, the state came up with a set of referee’s guidelines for players who wear religious headgear. There was a recognition of two things — albeit, after a legal battle — that, yes, it’s just darn wrong to ban anyone from playing soccer because of religious beliefs, and that you can deal with the safety question over headgear in the rulebook.

You want to push the argument of “safety concerns?” OK, then, put something in the rulebook or in the guidelines, like Pennsylvania did. In Alberta, the policy is that the referee can determine if any accessory is unsafe. But, the association confirmed that “we have never had a case where a referee has determined a turban, patka or keski to be unsafe.”

If a young Sikh boy or girl dreams of one day playing for the national team, or in MLS, or in NWSL, their headgear shouldn’t be cause for quashing their dreams. Nor should it be a deterrent to a child who simply wants to be on a team with his friends.

We are better than this.