France’s right-wing-dominated Senate has approved a bill to ban religious symbols, including the hijab, in all sports competitions, both professional and amateur, media reports said.
The measure, passed by a vote of 210 to 81, aims to prohibit “any sign or outfit ostensibly showing a political or religious affiliation” in competitions organized by national and regional sports federations. The bill also targets attire deemed to contravene France’s secular principles in public swimming pools.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing politicians and rights advocates, who argue it discriminates against Muslim women and violates freedom of conscience.
Socialist senator Patrick Kanner accused the right of exploiting secularism to fuel anti-Muslim rhetoric, while Greens senator Mathilde Ollivier called it a “gutless” attempt to exclude Muslim women from sports. Amnesty International warned the ban would exacerbate existing discrimination, stating, “All women have the right to choose what to wear.”
Supporters, including junior interior minister Francois-Noel Buffet, defended the bill as a necessary step against “separatism” and communalism in sports. Senator Michel Savin, who proposed the draft law, claimed “communitarian temptations” were undermining sports arenas.
The bill now requires approval from the lower-house National Assembly to become law. While France’s secular policies already restrict religious symbols in schools and public service, this would mark a significant expansion into sports.
Critics argue the move reflects growing Islamophobia, particularly after deadly terrorist attacks in France, while supporters insist it upholds the nation’s secular values. The debate highlights deep divisions over religious freedom and national identity in France.
