The discussion from social media and various news sources over the past couple weeks has been high praise for a group of female soccer players from Jordan’s Shabab Al-Ordon Club.
In the middle of a recent match, the Jordan club sportingly defended its opponent from the Amman Club and kicked the ball away when that player suddenly had stopped playing because her hijab was falling off.
As this was happening, the Amman Club player quickly turned away from the action as her hair began to show. While she was trying to adjust her hijab, five players from the Shabab Al-Ordon Club surrounded her without second thought so she could adjust it privately without being exposed. The Amman Club player covered her hair and the two teams continued to play.
When this player's hijab started falling off to reveal her hair, her opponents gathered around to provide cover while she fixed it.
This is our mood today.
When one of us needs us: We stop. We huddle up. We protect each other.
I love the soccer. I love women.
G pic.twitter.com/60XhMsVPu4— Glennon Doyle (@GlennonDoyle) October 24, 2019
This act of sportsmanship caught the eyes of many, including the wife of USWNT legend Abby Wambach.
The video went viral rather quickly, showing support of sports and religion. Rather than taking advantage of the opposing team being a player down, the women decided to protect the culture of the opponent and help her in a time of need. It’s amazing to see an action like this, especially after FIFA overturned a ban on wearing hijabs only as recently as 2014. Times are changing and what an amazing display of cultural awareness in the middle of a soccer game.