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Europe to Basketball Player: Show More Skin or No Game

T-shirt-wearing Toledo star can't compete in championship

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 10, 2011 4:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – University of Toledo basketball star Naama Shafir won't be allowed to compete in the upcoming European women's championship unless she shows more skin, the sport's European governing body has decided. Shafir, a point guard for the Israeli national team and an Orthodox Jew, wears a T-shirt under her jersey in accordance with Jewish modesty rules, and had requested an exemption from uniform rules, AP reports.

"The global rules of the game clearly state that a team must be uniformly dressed, and the rules must always be upheld," said a spokesman for FIBA Europe. The decision means Shafir, 21, will not take part in the tournament, which begins next week. The player— who told FIBA that NCAA officials let her play with a T-shirt in her 3 years with Toledo—says she won't compromise on her beliefs and play with her shoulders bared.

Toledo guard Naama Shafir is seen during the second half of the women's NIT college basketball championship game earlier this year. Toledo beat Southern California 76-68.
Toledo guard Naama Shafir is seen during the second half of the women's NIT college basketball championship game earlier this year. Toledo beat Southern California 76-68.   (AP Photo/JD Pooley)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 38 comments
Sphinx
Jun 10, 2011 11:35 AM CDT
Ridiculous. A t-shirt has no bearing on anyone else's ability to play the game. Why should she have to compromise her beliefs to do what she loves?
Yourself
Jun 10, 2011 10:09 AM CDT
"a team must be uniformly dressed," here's hoping her team mates have her back and start wearing t-shirts themselves instead of letting her be the scape goat to a moronic rule!
odowd80
Jun 10, 2011 9:44 AM CDT
Provocative and misleading headline. In this case, its not about showing more skin, its about uniformity. Given the religious beliefs involved and the very minor request she's making, I would think they could work this out. Maybe have her wear a skin-tone t-shirt or something?

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