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http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/...5028464748.html
Afifa Saad, a typical Australian ?
Referee cleared of racism in scarf row
By Liz Gooch
May 21, 2004
A referee who asked a Muslim soccer player to change her headscarf before a game was not motivated by race or religion, the Victorian Soccer Federation Tribunal has found.
South Melbourne player Afifa Saad lodged a formal complaint against referee Michael Hatzikonstantinos, saying he had asked h
r to remove her white hijab before a Women's Premier League game on April 25.
Ms Saad was not satisfied with yesterday's outcome and said she would seek legal advice.
She wants Mr Hatz
iko
stantinos to issue a formal apology. "That's the ultimate goal," Ms Saad said. South Melbourne coach Alex Alexopoulo
s said the club might consider an appeal.
Federation chief executive Damien Bown said the tribunal found the referee had believed that under the laws of the game, a player wearing a headscarf was required to wear one of a similar colour to their uniform.
"There was never a suggestion... that she shouldn't be wearing it, just that it would be a different colour," he said.
The tribunal, which was held after a conciliation meeting, found that there was "no doubt whatsoever" that the referee's actions were based on his interpretation of the rules and not his racial or religious views, Mr Bown said. However, Ms Saad had a diffe
rent version of events, and believed that Mr Hatzikonstantinos had asked her to remove her headscarf.
Mr Bown acknowledged there were different recollections of what took place but he believed th
e referee h
ad issued a formal apology. "He did print an unreserved apology to say in no way, shape or form did he intend his actions to cause any hurt and if he did, he apol
ogises for that," Mr Bown said. "From my perspective I don't think there's been any doubt that he is sorry for any hurt that he has caused."
Anyone who was not satisfied with a tribunal decision had seven days to lodge an appeal, he said.
Ms Saad has agreed to work with the federation, in conjunction with various Muslim groups, to finalise the federation's formal policy on players' attire, Mr Bown said.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/...5028464748.html
Afifa Saad, a typical Australian ?
Referee cleared of racism in scarf row
By Liz Gooch
May 21, 2004
A referee who asked a Muslim soccer player to change her headscarf before a game was not motivated by race or religion, the Victorian Soccer Federation Tribunal has found.
South Melbourne player Afifa Saad lodged a formal complaint against referee Michael Hatzikonstantinos, saying he had asked h
r to remove her white hijab before a Women's Premier League game on April 25.
Ms Saad was not satisfied with yesterday's outcome and said she would seek legal advice.
She wants Mr Hatz
iko
stantinos to issue a formal apology. "That's the ultimate goal," Ms Saad said. South Melbourne coach Alex Alexopoulo
s said the club might consider an appeal.
Federation chief executive Damien Bown said the tribunal found the referee had believed that under the laws of the game, a player wearing a headscarf was required to wear one of a similar colour to their uniform.
"There was never a suggestion... that she shouldn't be wearing it, just that it would be a different colour," he said.
The tribunal, which was held after a conciliation meeting, found that there was "no doubt whatsoever" that the referee's actions were based on his interpretation of the rules and not his racial or religious views, Mr Bown said. However, Ms Saad had a diffe
rent version of events, and believed that Mr Hatzikonstantinos had asked her to remove her headscarf.
Mr Bown acknowledged there were different recollections of what took place but he believed th
e referee h
ad issued a formal apology. "He did print an unreserved apology to say in no way, shape or form did he intend his actions to cause any hurt and if he did, he apol
ogises for that," Mr Bown said. "From my perspective I don't think there's been any doubt that he is sorry for any hurt that he has caused."
Anyone who was not satisfied with a tribunal decision had seven days to lodge an appeal, he said.
Ms Saad has agreed to work with the federation, in conjunction with various Muslim groups, to finalise the federation's formal policy on players' attire, Mr Bown said.
