Watching Nouhaila Benzina has boosted confidence of women and girls to play football, helped by FA’s drive for inclusivity
On Sunday the Moroccan player Nouhaila Benzina made history by becoming the first football player to wear a hijab in a World Cup game. Bringing Benzina off the subs bench was more than just an opportunity for the 25-year-old player; it proved that the hijab is no barrier to playing football at the highest level despite having been subject to a ban on health and safety grounds until 2014.
Muslim women and girls who play grassroots football said they hoped Benzina’s appearance would inspire the next generation of hijabi football stars and persuade clubs to explicitly adopt inclusive clothing policies.
