A French high court has upheld the ban on female football players wearing the hijab.

According to the French news agency AFP, the Constitutional Council said in a statement on Thursday that “sports federations whose job is to ensure public services in a good way.” They can impose a condition of neutrality on their players in competitions and sporting events, to guarantee the smooth running of matches and the avoidance of any clashes or collisions.’

“The French Football Federation’s (FFF) ban on any political, philosophical, religious or associational affiliation symbol or clothing during a game is perfectly fine and legitimate.”

A group of hijab-wearing Muslim women footballers had started a protest against the FFF’s decision.

There was a lot of political pressure on the judges regarding this decision as the major political parties face far-right political opponents in the elections.

Secularism is a sensitive topic in France. Its supporters present it as a guarantee of the state’s religious neutrality and its critics use it against ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Muslims.

Interior Minister Gerald Darminen said on Tuesday that ‘I have the deepest hope of the Republic that (judges) will maintain impartiality in the sports arena.’

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said on Twitter that ‘Hijab is not allowed in sports. And we will pass a law to respect that.’