Report: Private boys high school soccer team refuses to play against team with 2 girls
TORONTO -- A boys soccer team refused to finish playing in a soccer tournament because two girls were on the opposite side of the pitch, the City News reports.
According to the City News, players with the ISNA Private Islamic High School declined to finish a game once they learned that Robert F. Hall Catholic School, their opponent, had to girls on the team. Hall high school does not have a girls' team, and was approved to allow girls by the local athletic association.
Rules state:
If a sport activity is not available for a female on a girls' team, she is eligible to participate on a boys' team following a successful tryout."
Coaches from the private Islamic high school brought their concern to the referees at halftime. Robert F. Hall was winning the game 3-1 at that point.
The girls voluntarily decided to sit out the second half, City News reports. Hall went on to win 6-1, but both teams advance.
Essa Abdool-Karim, the coach of the ISNA High School soccer team, said he was disappointed to lean that their were girls on the other team.
"Free mixing is generally something we do not do, more so out of respect than anything," he told City News.
Abdool-Karim said if the teams face each other again, the boys from the private Islamic school will likely not play, but this saddens him a bit.
"We want inclusion for all," he said. "We are trying to find a solution to the problem."