Iqra Ismail, a former Somali national team captain and founder of Hilltop FC, was barred from participating in a recent grassroots football match due to her choice of attire: tracksuit bottoms instead of shorts, worn in adherence to her Muslim faith. The incident unfolded last Sunday when she was prepared to play for the United Dragons FC, a Greater London Women’s Football League team. After warming up and stepping onto the pitch, Ismail was told by the referee that she could only play if she wore shorts—a requirement she has never met in her five-year history playing in the league.
Ismail, who also serves as a coach and advocate for refugee women, has always worn tracksuit bottoms, along with a sports hijab and long-sleeve top, to align with her religious beliefs. “I was very visibly upset,” she recounted. “I know a lot of women who don’t play in these leagues, even though they are capable, because they don’t feel comfortable wearing shorts.”
The incident, she says, reflects a broader issue within the league’s approach to inclusivity. Despite guidelines issued by the Football Association (FA) recommending leniency for players who wear specific attire for religious reasons, the Greater London Women’s Football League maintains that tracksuit bottoms are restricted to goalkeepers only. The league has upheld a strict interpretation of kit rules, which Ismail argues contradicts the FA’s advice on accommodating players’ religious and cultural practices.
Ismail’s journey in advocating for a more inclusive space within the game has been ongoing. “In the past few years, I’ve been advocating for Muslim women to have a safe space in the game,” she explained. This includes organizing women-only, alcohol-free screenings of major football events like the FA Cup final to create an environment where Muslim women feel welcomed. She worries, however, that her efforts are being undermined by instances like her recent experience on the pitch.
The Football Association has responded to the situation, acknowledging the matter and stating that they are working directly with Ismail and the league to find a solution. In a public statement, the FA reiterated its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and noted that it had proactively reminded county FAs and match officials of their duty to allow clothing accommodations for religious reasons.
As Ismail waits for a resolution, she remains hopeful and is exploring further steps to encourage lasting changes in the sport, even contemplating collaboration with the International Football Association Board to reform dress codes on a global scale. “Your religious principles and what you’re comfortable with have to take precedence,” she said. For Ismail, this is about more than her own participation; it’s about making football a space where players from all backgrounds can bring their identities to the pitch.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in balancing tradition with inclusivity in sports, illustrating the tension between standardization and respect for diversity—especially as football expands its reach across cultures worldwide.
