French president supports headscarf ban in sports competitions

France's president expressed support Tuesday for a ban on headscarves in sports competitions.

“I stand by the Olympic Charter, which prohibits the wearing of all religious symbols in competitions,” Emmanuel Macron said during an interview with broadcaster TF1.

He distinguished between practicing sports in facilities and participating in competitions, saying it is up to each federation to decide whether to ban headscarves.

“When you're in a competition, it's not the place for a religious symbol,” he added, calling for “pragmatism” as French law does not prohibit it.

Macron also answered questions on holding referendums over issues such as immigration, pension reform, assisted dying and public finances.

He expressed his support for the idea of organizing several referendums in the coming months.

“The idea is that we can consult our fellow citizens on major economic or social reforms. Between now and June, the government will propose several reforms, and then I will see which ones," he added.

While rejecting a referendum to repeal retirement reform raising the age to 64 and not seeing a referendum on immigration as being “effective,” Macron did not rule out the possibility of organizing one for assisted dying “in case of a deadlock” and on public finances.