A draft bill that would ban the wearing of the hijab in sporting competitions will pass on to France's National Assembly after the Senate on Wednesday (February 16) declined to vote on the legislation.
The broader bill is devoted to "democratising sport," including how big sporting federations are governed. But it includes a clause, previously attached as an amendment by the conservative-dominated upper house, stipulating that the wearing "of conspicuous religious symbols is prohibited" in events and competitions organised by sports federations.
The move is, however, opposed by President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government and its allies who command a majority in the National Assembly, which has the final vote.
