The Football Association has issued an apology to Muslim footballer Iqra Ismail after she was barred from participating in a league match for refusing to compromise her religious beliefs by wearing shorts.

Pioneering footballer and coach Ismail was prepared to play as a half-time substitute for United Dragons in a Greater London Women’s Football League match against Tower Hamlets FC.

In a social media video, Ismail stated: "The Greater London Women’s Football League have prohibited me from playing because of my religious beliefs, as I refused to wear shorts as part of my kit.

"I have been playing in this league for nearly five years, wearing tracksuit bottoms, and every year it has become increasingly challenging for women like me to participate.

"This year, they have taken a firm stance and have banned me from playing unless I compromise my beliefs.

"The Middlesex FA referee for Sunday’s match stated that the league had strictly instructed him not to allow women like me to wear tracksuit bottoms, regardless of colour or whether it matched our kit."

The FA has since apologised to Ismail and confirmed that she may wear tracksuit bottoms in future matches.

Sky Sports News has reached out to the Greater London Women’s Football League for a comment.

Ismail, who was appointed to the Football Black List in 2019, also served as a speaker at the FA’s 'Your Game Your Way' event at Brentford Football Club earlier this year.

She added: "At this level, the focus should be on making women’s football accessible, yet the Greater London Women’s Football League has achieved the exact opposite.

"They question why women’s football lacks diversity and why it’s difficult to find women who look like me in the competitive game. This is precisely why."

An FA spokesperson earlier told Sky Sports News: "We are aware of this situation and are working with Middlesex FA to ensure a swift resolution.

"Earlier this year, we proactively contacted all County FAs and match officials across the women’s grassroots game, emphasising that women and girls should be permitted to wear attire that respects their faith or religious beliefs.

"We remain deeply committed to ensuring that English football is inclusive and welcoming for everyone."

At the beginning of the year, match officials were provided with guidance on offences involving religious head coverings. This followed concerns raised by Sky Sports and former referee Jarnail Singh about an incident where a Sikh-Punjabi footballer had his patka pulled by an opponent in a Spartan South Midlands League match in January.