Overview

• The proposed law, passed by the French Senate in February 2025, seeks to ban all religious symbols, including the Islamic veil, in sports competitions, even at the amateur level.
• Prime Minister François Bayrou supports the ban but has called for unity among ministers, as divisions persist within the government.
• Prominent athlete Teddy Riner has publicly criticized the measure, advocating for equality and opposing the targeting of specific religions.
• Critics warn that the ban could marginalize Muslim women and harm inclusivity in sports, contrasting France's stance with other countries where such symbols are permitted.
• The law, part of a broader push by the LR Party to limit religious symbols in public spaces, awaits debate in the National Assembly, with no date yet scheduled.