The decision to yank a teen soccer player from a match because she was wearing a religious head scarf has outraged a local Muslim leader.

Syed Soharwardy, president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, said Safaa Menhem should be permitted on the field wearing a hijab.

"I don't buy it because a person could also pull a shirt and choke a person. This is not a safety issue. It is just a racist and discriminatory decision against Muslims," Soharwardy said.

"Her rights should be respected -- this is her free choice."

On Saturday, a senior referee pulled Safaa, 14, a forward on the Chinook Phantoms U16 squad, from a soccer match because he believed the chin strap on her hijab posed a choking risk, said Gary Roy, referee development officer for the Alberta Soccer Association.

Roy said the ref was simply following the rules.

"I can 100% guarantee this is not a religious issue, it's a safety issue," he said.

"The options are: Conform the head gear so it becomes safe; remove it and play; or don't play."

SOURCE