DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s girls’ soccer team will be allowed to compete in this summer’s inaugural Youth Olympics as long as its players swap their traditional head scarves for a cap that covers their hair.
The compromise comes after soccer’s governing body last month barred the team because of its insistence on wearing head scarves. FIFA banned hijab scarves in 2007 for safety reasons and to prevent political or religious statements on the field.
The Iran Football Federation was not immediately available for comment. The state-run Tehran Times reported that Iranian authorities had agreed to allow players to wear hats.
Iran will compete in the six-nation tournament in Singapore. About 3,600 athletes, ages 14-18, will compete Aug. 12-25 in 26 sports at the Youth Summer Games.