The New Mexico Activities Association has apologized to the Dulce High School girls' basketball team after referees made players undo their traditional Navajo hair buns over safety concerns.
The girls wore tsiiyeels at their game Tuesday in Santa Fe to support an Arizona team that recently made headlines for being told to remove the hair wraps.
Albuquerque TV station KOB reports the NMAA will send a clarification to high school officials across the state.
Last week, the board that governs Arizona high school sports says the Flagstaff High girls' basketball team can wear their hair in traditional Navajo buns after a referee's decision to ban the hairstyle at a recent game caused an outcry.
Navajo Nation officials say athletes shouldn't be punished for expressing pride in their culture.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.