The case for allowing the hijab to be worn during matches was presented to the IFAB by FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein on Saturday (March 3) and approved by all eight IFAB members.

Ultimate ratification seems certain take place on July 2 after further testing of the new velcro designs that prevent any chance of choking and are deemed 100 percent safe.

"I thank the IFAB for doing the right thing," said Zhang.

"This positive decision will remove all barriers and bring in more women players into the game.

"This also shows the world that FIFA and the game's lawmakers are serious about making the game accessible to all and preserving its status as the number one sport in the world.

"Prince Ali deserves my heartiest congratulations for the determined manner in which he took up cudgels on behalf of the women players who were stopped from playing football because they wore hijabs.

"He convincingly proved that the hijab is more of a cultural symbol than a religious one.

"This...will go a long way in popularising the game among women."

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