FIFA Scandal A Reminder That Lack Of Oversight And Transparency A Problem In Youth Sports, Too

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Wed, 05/27/2015 - 20:28. | comments

The story which broke this morning in The New York Times that nine present or former high-ranking members of FIFA, soccer's global governing body, had been arrested in Zurich, Switzerland after being indicted on corruption charges in the U.S., didn't surprise me in the least.

While the FIFA scandal has made national headlines, allegations of embezzlement and theft in sports organizations, large and small, are an almost every-day occurrence in cities and towns across America.

The new that nine present or former high-ranking members of FIFA, soccer's global governing body, had been arrested in Zurich, Switzerland after being indicted on corruption charges in the U.S., didn't surprise MomsTEAM's Executive Director in the least. While the FIFA scandal has made national headlines, allegations of embezzlement and theft in sports organizations, large and small, are an almost every-day occurrence in cities and towns across America.

Youth Sports Heroes of the Month: Overland High School (Aurora, Colo.) Girls Soccer Team

Submitted by Douglas E. Abrams, J.D. on Mon, 03/31/2014 - 14:12. | comments

When the Overland High School Trailblazers opened their varsity soccer season against the Fairview High School Knights on March 12, the girls were short one player. The referees sidelined Trailblazer Samah Aidah as a result of a pre-game ruling that her hijab, a headscarf worn by Muslim women as a sign of modesty and devotion, created an alleged "danger." Aurora Colorado girls soccer team wearing hajibs

When a referee sidelined Overland High School soccer player Samah Aidah because her hijab allegedly created a "danger," her teammates expressed their solidarity at their next game by all wearing hajibs.

Religious Head-Wear in Sports: Is Permanent Rules Exemption The Answer?

While it is clear that officials and coaches could resolve religious head-wear media dustups by taking care of the issue early in a sports season, it is equally true that the sports governing bodies could take that burden off of them. There are certain items that are worn with sufficient frequency to merit a permanent exemption. Hijabs and yarmulkes both fall in that category.

FIFA