A French sporting goods chain pulled a hijab for women joggers from its shelves after it came under fire from politicians and on social media.

Originally created in Morocco at the request of customers there, Decathlon's "hijab de running" — a nylon hood designed to allow Muslim women to cover their hair while jogging — sparked outrage in France as politicians across the political spectrum said it was a violation of French principles on secularism.

After days of acrimonious public debate and virulent criticism on social media, the sports retailer said in a statement late on Tuesday it had suspended the sale of the item in France over concerns about the safety of its staff, which it said had been insulted and threatened on social media.