"Not the place for a religious symbol": Macron backs headscarf ban in sports competitions

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his support Tuesday for banning headscarves in sports competitions, emphasizing alignment with Olympic principles.

“I stand by the Olympic Charter, which prohibits the wearing of all religious symbols in competitions,” Macron said during an interview with (Télévision Française 1) TF1.

He clarified that while athletes are free to practice sports in facilities, competitions are a different matter. “When you're in a competition, it's not the place for a religious symbol,” he said, stressing that decisions ultimately lie with individual sports federations and calling for a “pragmatic” approach since French law does not explicitly forbid headscarves in such contexts.