Amateur boxing chiefs are to consider a shock change to their rules — which would ban all men who have beards for religious reasons from competing.

The policy shift will be voted on at the weekend after the matter was raised by a Bolton Council of Mosques representative and a local boxer.

Mohammed Patel, aged 25, was told he could not take part in his debut bout earlier this year at Bolton Lads and Girls Club unless he shaved.

There is an allowance in the rules for Sikh boxers but Mr Patel, who has a beard for religious reasons, is Muslim.

Mr Patel and Inayat Omarji, from the Bolton Council of Mosques, contacted officials to argue there should be an allowance made for all competitors who had a beard because of their beliefs.

But in an unexpected twist, the Amateur Boxing Association of England is now expected to outlaw all beards in the sport The international ruling body, the Amateur International Boxing Association, has written to the English association, advising that the rules should be changed.

The association will vote on the proposed rule change on Saturday at a meeting in Sheffield.

Barry Jones, of the association, said: “To a certain degree it is rather sad. I cannot speak for our ruling council, but my feeling is they will go with the directive.”

Inayat Omarji, who took up Mr Patel’s cause back in January, said: “In this day and age, it is very disappointing that a sporting association and a very recognisable body doesn’t recognise different faiths.

“The decision hasn’t been taken yet so I will await the outcome with great interest — we will just have to wait and see.”

Mr Patel had been boxing for around three years but since the bout that never was, he has lost all interest in the sport.

His coach, Mark Tustin, who trains boxers at Bolton Lads and Girls Club, said the young fighter had potential.

Yesterday, Mr Patel, said: “The reason we raised this issue in the first place was to make boxing a more inclusive sport.

“Having a beard isn’t about being awkward but is down, in some cases, to a person’s religion.

“It is disappointing to hear that the Amateur Boxing Association of England is now considering a complete ban on beards and I await the outcome of the vote on Saturday with interest.”

By Steve Thompson