Following Morocco’s elimination in the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, in which the Atlas Lionesses lost to France, far-right French politician (RN) Julien Odoul tweeted offensive comments, calling France’s qualification a “win for women’s rights and freedom against Islamist ideology.”
Singling out Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina who wore a headscarf throughout the tournament, Odoul declared that “the hijab is eliminated.” He stated in another tweet that Morocco’s failure was “humiliating for the Muslim Brotherhood” and that “Sharia [law] will never be the law in France.” The backlash was immediate.
Social media users and politicians criticized Odoul for inciting hate and intolerance. Amine Saha, a city councillor, accused him of trying to wipe out Muslim women, while left-wing lawmaker François Piquemal objected to his use of the French team’s victory to stir up hatred.
Odoul has a history of making incendiary remarks, especially towards ethnic minorities and Muslim women. He earned approbation in 2019 after ordering a French Muslim mother to remove her hijab on a school trip, sparking legal action against him.
The incident led to debate in France over religious discrimination and xenophobia. Restrictions on hijabs in women’s football and face coverings such as the niqab in public areas have generated controversy.
As France battles with issues of religious freedom and ethnic acceptability, Odoul’s latest Islamophobic venom underlines the persisting challenges encountered by the country’s large Muslim community.