Football chiefs agreed on Thursday to lift a ban on women wearing headscarves during games, clearing the way for the participation of many Muslim nations in top-flight competition.

Until the vote by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) here, players were prevented from wearing a headscarf, or hijab, at the sport's highest level for safety reasons and on religious grounds.

Critics said the ban promoted inequality at the highest level of the world's most popular game.

Public changes in the governing body's thinking were clear last year when it was decided that the hijab was a cultural rather than a religious symbol.

In March IFAB -- custodian of the game's laws -- said it was in favour of female players wearing the hijab in games organised by FIFA.