0 win over Indonesia in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday is to be examined by FIFA's security department, soccer's governing body said Thursday. “Given the unusual outcome in relation to the results-expectation and head-to-head history, and in the interests of maintaining unequivocal confidence in our game, FIFA Security will conduct a routine examination of this game and its result,” FIFA said in a statement. Bahrain had needed a nine-goal win in the Asian Group E match, combined with a defeat for Qatar in Iran, to progress to the next stage of the region's World Cup qualifying competition. Qatar went through, however, when an 86th-minute goal gave it a 2-2 draw in Iran to clinch second place in the group at Bahrain's expense. In another match, Iraq, which had already qualfied, routed Singapore 7-1. Indonesia, already eliminated, fielded a weakened team as a number of its top players had been suspended by its own federation for taking part in the breakaway Indonesian Super League (ISL). Bahrain converted two penalties during the match and Lebanese referee Andre El Hadded sent off Indonesia goalkeeper Samsidar after two minutes. According to FIFA's records, the two sides had met six times before with two wins apiece and two draws. Bahrain had not previously won by more than two goals. Indonesian football has recently been in turmoil and the country came close to international suspension last year. Djohar Arifin Husin, a former secretary-general of the Indonesian Sports Committee, was elected head of the FA (PSSI) last year, defeating two other candidates in elections ordered by FIFA. Previous elections had failed amid chaotic scenes and FIFA appointed a committee last year to organize the election. The previous PSSI president, Nurdin Halid, was jailed in 2007 for misusing funds but continued to run the FA from his cell. — Agencies Maintaining hijab ban not fair – Prince Ali FIFA Vice President Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein will urge football's rulemakers Saturday to overturn a ban on Islamic female players wearing hijabs, insisting they are not religious garments. Five years after headscarves were deemed unsafe to be worn in matches, the Jordanian prince wants the International Football Association Board to sanction them with Velcro openings so players can uphold their cultural traditions. Since banning the hijab, FIFA last year extended the safety rule to include neck warmers, which were also judged a possible choking threat. But before traveling to England for the IFAB meeting, Prince Ali's campaign received the backing of the United Nations, which urged FIFA to give everyone the equal right to play football. “Women's football has come a long way, as we experienced in the last Women's World Cup, and the present situation is saying to women worldwide that you're not allowed to participate for a reason that makes no sense,” Prince Ali said on Thursday in a central London hotel. “That's prejudice. It's not fair. It has to be dealt with. Long sleeves and leggings are already allowed.” Iran had to forfeit an Olympic women's qualifier against Jordan last June because the players refused to play without the hijabs. At IFAB, a new rule needs six of the eight available votes to be approved. Each British association — from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales — has one vote and FIFA officials have four.
