FIFA authorizes wearing of turbans at all levels of Canadian soccer Soccer's world body has struck a blow against Quebec's turban ban, saying such headwear is perfectly acceptable on the pitch. FIFA said in a statement today it is authorizing the wearing of male head covers at all levels of Canadian soccer. The statement says the headwear must be the same colour as the jersey, look professional, must not be attached to the jersey and not pose any danger to players. FIFA's position comes four days after the Canadian Soccer Association suspended Quebec's soccer federation after the provincial body banned the wearing of Sikh headwear. The Quebec organization had cited safety issues for its decision and the fact that the garments were not endorsed by FIFA. A spokesman for the Quebec Soccer Federation says it will hold a news conference tomorrow to discuss FIFA's ruling and that there will be no comment today. The decision to suspend Quebec will begin being felt this weekend as at least 20 out-of-province teams skip a tournament in Montreal. Some players in Quebec leagues have decided to wear turbans in protest of the ban. That ban had the support of Quebec's Parti Quebecois government and some sovereigntists have even used the case as an argument for Quebec independence. However, many federal politicians opposed the ban and applauded the CSA suspension - with the Conservatives and Liberals being the most forceful. The FIFA decision extends a decision on female head scarves from October, 2012. FIFA sent a letter to the Canadian Soccer Association on Thursday and authorized it to permit all players to wear head covers "in all areas and on all levels of the Canadian football community." FIFA said the matter will be discussed again in October with a final decision taking place in March, 2014. The World Sikh Organization welcomed FIFA's declaration. "It's been our position from the outset that the accommodation of the turban shouldn't hinge on FIFA rules but instead on Canadian tradition on diversity and acceptance and also on Canadian rules and law," said spokesman Balpreet Singh. This announcement is certainly good news, it's absolutely clear now that any restriction on the wearing of the turban is illegitimate and we're hopeful the Quebec Soccer Federation will now immediately lift its ban. The children should really be allowed to play as soon as possible.