ZURICH (AFP) - Football's world governing body Fifa on Saturday officially authorised the wearing of veils and turbans during matches.

"It was decided that female players can cover their heads to play," said Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke at a meeting of the International Football Association Board (Ifab), the sport's lawmakers, in Zurich.

"It was decided that male players can play with head cover too," he added, in reference to the turban following a request from the Sikh community of Canada.