Cap fits for Fifa, Iranian girls set for Youth Games

The Iranian girls' soccer team are looking to this year's inaugural Youth Olympics as a boost to women's football in the Islamic Republic after a compromise was reached over their playing in headgear.

Soccer's world governing body Fifa banned the team in April after the Iranian Olympic Committee insisted the girls play in the hijab head scarves at the Aug. 14-26 Games in Singapore.

Fifa said their rules allowed only the wearing of a shirt or jersey, shorts, socks and footwear to play the game but will now allow the under-15 team to play in caps.

"All the problems have been sorted out... Fifa didn't know what (the cap) looked like so we sent them a sample," the Iranian Football Federation's Mahdieh Mohammadkhani told Singapore newspaper Today at the draw for the tournament.                                           

"This tournament is very important for us as it will help promote women's football in Iran." 

Some 3,500 athletes aged between 14 and 18 are expected to take part in 26 sports at the Youth Olympics.