A 15-year-old sikh boy was asked to remove his turban during a match in an incident that has been referred to as 'humiliating' the young footballer.
Gurpreet Singh, who plays for Arratia's C-team was given the reason that his turban constituted a 'hat' which is forbidden on the pitch for an outfield player as per the game rules. However, referees had allowed him to wear his turban in previous matches.
A post by Sikhexpo on Instagram shared the youngster's ordeal in a post. "15-year-old Gurpreet Singh from Spain was told to remove his Patka during a football (soccer) match between Arratia C and a local rival Padura de Arrigorriaga.
"The Arratia players interceded to explain that it is an element linked to his religion, with which he has always played. The referee insisted on his criteria. And both the players and the Arratia coach kept their pulse: they decided to leave the field of play as a sign of solidarity."
Speaking up on the matter, Arratia president Pedro Ormazabal said, “He has been playing normally for at least five years, even in his first year as cadets and so far this season. We have never had the slightest problem. It has been something that has been carried out with absolute normality. The first year we warned that he played like that, and everyone understood it.
“It was the first minutes of the second half and, as soon as he left, the referee turned to him and urged him to take off his turban. In front of the whole world: of all the families, of the players... A matter like this cannot be left to the interpretation of the referees because what happened in Arrigorriaga could happen", indicates Ormazabal.
It was an unfortunate incident for Gurpreet but he had the backing of his teammates. “The kids were the first to support him. The coach was also very clear. They decided to withdraw. Afterwards, he received the support of the rival team, especially through the coach, and from the families that had attended the game,” added the president of the Arratian club.
With the side back in action on the weekend, the Biscayan club is hopeful that such a shameful incident will not happen again. And if it does, they will completely back their player.
