The school officials in Auburn, Ala. are standing by a policy that seems to be racially discriminatory toward basketball players that wear their hair in braids. The hairstyle is almost exclusively worn by black players.

A racial discrimination lawsuit filed by the family of Auburn University assistant football coach Trooper Taylor on behalf of his son, is expected to go to court Dec. 21 in Montgomery. Taylor’s son, Blaise Taylor, has not been allowed to play for his junior varsity basketball team for his hairstyle choice.

Auburn board of education President Laura Cooper, Lee County Schools Superintendent Terry Jenkins and attorney Rick Davidson denied the allegations Wednesday. Davidson said the board believes the regulations are constitutionally valid.