http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?...ardedplayerban
The coach of a topflight soccer team in Tajikistan says the police have forced him to ban a member of his squad because the player has a beard.
Khayr Vakhdat coach Tokhir Muminov says he is unable to play Parviz Tursunov while there are problems with the police over his appearance.
Authorities in the mainly Muslim former Soviet nation have taken strict measures to stamp out any signs of religious extremism, with police reportedly sometimes rounding up bearded young men.
Tursunov, a devout Muslim, has said he would rather give up soccer than his beard.
Khayr Vakhdat beat last-place Parvoz Bobojon Ghafurov 3-0 on Sunday.
The coach of a topflight soccer team in Tajikistan says the police have forced him to ban a member of his squad because the player has a beard.
Khayr Vakhdat coach Tokhir Muminov says he is unable to play Parviz Tursunov while there are problems with the police over his appearance.
Authorities in the mainly Muslim former Soviet nation have taken strict measures to stamp out any signs of religious extremism, with police reportedly sometimes rounding up bearded young men.
Tursunov, a devout Muslim, has said he would rather give up soccer than his beard.
Khayr Vakhdat beat last-place Parvoz Bobojon Ghafurov 3-0 on Sunday.
some religious people are really something special
Comment