KSC Official Statement On Hair Discrimination Incident
KENSINGTON, PA — Sports are meant to be an inclusive space for our children because we believe that they provide the opportunity for them to develop valuable physical and social skills in an environment where everyone belongs and differences are embraced. We were disgusted to hear that one of our 11-year-old girls was subject to racial discrimination because of her hair by a referee in the Inter-County Soccer League early Sunday afternoon.
According to a Facebook post by KSC Volunteer Coach Carly Nájera, the girl loves to play soccer and eagerly accepted the opportunity to play more with another team in the ICSL, coached by Nájera’s father. However, because the girl had beads at the end of her braids, the referee did not allow her to play, despite her offering to secure and wrap it up. The ref insisted they were adhering to “FIFA rules.” As a result, the girl did not play and was left devastated and humiliated.
According to ICSL Rules and Regulations, all ICSL games follow the FIFA Laws of the Game, which the referee was referring to. However, Laws of the Game do not strictly mention a rule against “hair accessories.”
The ICSL sent out an email Tuesday morning to remind members of the rules it follows, which are set by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer. EPYS makes a note to clarify the following: “whereas the Laws of the Game specifically do not mention certain items in the category of “hair accessories”, the interpretation of this is that soft accessories are acceptable. Hard accessories, which have long been construed as “jewelry” in the Laws of the game, such hair clips or beads or other metal or plastic objects, cannot be worn.”
EPYS also mentions that referees can enforce Laws of the Game at their discretion. That means that the referee could have chosen to let the young girl play but opted not to, even after they were confronted by Coach Nájera about the unfairness of the situation.
Kensington Soccer Club condemns all forms of hate, racism, and discrimination, and it is unacceptable that in 2022 this form of racial discrimination still exists. It is cruel for a league to deny the child an opportunity to play because of outdated rules that largely target Black women and girls. There should be no room for any discrimination in our beloved sport.
We are pushing for a policy change on the rule from the EPYS and that the EPYS and ICSL further evaluate their stances against racial discrimination. Furthermore, all levels of soccer should adopt rules that allow for hair beads as long as they are securely wrapped.
ABOUT KENSINGTON SOCCER CLUB
Formed in 2010, Kensington Soccer Club believes in “Community Advancement Through Soccer,” working to make youth soccer and community development opportunities much more accessible and affordable to all residents of the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia.
What started as a small after-school summer program quickly grew into a year-round soccer organization that now offers competitive travel and recreational soccer, after-school programs, summer camps, community clinics and employment opportunities for more than 1,500 families.
As Kensington Soccer Club continues to grow, so has its support from the city and the local community. With that additional support, Kensington Soccer Club moves toward its mission of making soccer and personal development available “For Everyone.”
More information about KSC can be found at kensingtonsoccer.org or KSC’s social media platforms:
Facebook: Kensington Soccer Club
Instagram: @kensingtonsoccerclub
Twitter: @KensingtonSC
LinkedIn: Kensington Soccer Club - Community Advancement Through Soccer
Youtube: Kensington Soccer Club
To contact KSC:
Alberto Huichapa, Communications Coordinator;
communications@kensingtonsoccer.org, 936-488-2817