A French sports brand has been forced to stop selling a running hijab after a backlash and threats from shoppers.

Sports goods chain Decathlon had advertised a sports hijab which allowed Muslim women to work out or run while still honouring their faith.

But the company has had to stop selling it in France until further notice after it prompted a huge backlash.

French politicians were among those who objected to the item, including health minister Agnes Buzyn who said she would prefer if the company did not promote the veil.

This is not the first time France has been embroiled in a row over dress code for Muslim women. Three years ago some French mayors banned burkinis, the all-encompassing swimsuit worn by a small minority of Muslim women on the beach.


In a statement posted on Facebook, Decathlon said: "Our goal since always is to make sport more and more accessible to the largest number, all over the world.

"This is our will with this hijab that responds to a request from our teams from Decathlon Morocco (with whom it was co-designed) who were looking to respond to a local request of women wishing to practice the race on foot with equipment adapted to their needs.

"We always respond to a request, like any company, and that is the case here, our role is to offer them an adapted sports product, without judgement."

The statement added that the team received more than 500 calls and emails in one morning after the product was announced, and said some staff members in stores had been verbally assaulted and threatened with physical violence.

It added: "We must call for calm and respect in your exchanges with our teams."

There were calls on social media to boycott Decathlon, but some said they stood with the brand.