Islam and association football

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some association football players are Muslims, and their clubs have adapted to their principles.

In July 2013, BBC journalist Rob Cowling remarked that Muslim players were changing the culture of English football.[1] The Islamic observance of Ramadan, affects the ability of players to train and play,[2] while some players have refused to wear football shirts sponsored by gambling and finance companies, as gambling and charging interest are forbidden in Islam.[3]

Some Muslim players have been subjected to racist abuse in the sport, and clubs which sign Muslim players have also been targeted.[4]

Popularity and conflict[edit]

Football was introduced to Iran by British oil workers and promoted under the regime of Reza Shah in the 1920s. Although both playing and watching the game have often been in conflict with religious requirements under the Islamic Republic of Iran, it continues to be popular.[5]

Football in Palestine was introduced during the British mandate period of 1920–1948. In 2011, a women's football team called Girls FC, made-up of both Muslims and Christians, was formed. Despite religious requirements and objections at the women wearing shorts and "playing a man's game", the team proved to be popular.[6]

Ramadan[edit]

In 2010, Iranian player Ali Karimi was sacked by his Tehran-based club Steel Azin for breaking the fast during Ramadan. Karimi was seen drinking water during a training session; he denied any insult and was reinstated by the club after agreeing to pay a $40,000 fine.[7] In 2011, the debilitating effect on the fitness of players was noted in connection with Newcastle United player Demba Ba. Described as "drained and lethargic" due to fasting during Ramadan, he scored three goals in just over thirty minutes in a 3–1 win against Blackburn Rovers in his first match after Ramadan.[8]

Football players performing at the highest level still conform to fasting despite higher risks of injuries. During Ramadan in 2019, AFC Ajax players Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazroui entered the 2nd leg of UEFA Champions League Semi Final against Tottenham Hotspurs while fasting, only to break it 24 minutes into the match after the sun was fully set. The duo was captured drinking power gel and water on the pitch.[9]

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Mouez Hassan, the Tunisian goalkeeper took advantage of the FIFA rule that mandates the game to be paused when the goalkeeper gets injured. During the games against Portugal and Turkey, Hassan tactically collapsed immediately after sunset in order to give his teammates a chance to break their fast, who feasted on dates and ion drinks. The strategy turned out to be successful, as Tunisia managed to tie 2–2 in both games, against higher FIFA ranked teams. [10]

Not all Islam-based countries conformed to fasting in the World Cup. The majority of Saudi Arabian players, who were to play Russia in the opening fixture, opted to postpone their religious commitment until after the tournament, understanding the hardships they faced such as experiencing 18 hours of daylight in Russia. They were given authorization by the Saudi authorities, who issued abstention permits.[11]

In April 2021, Leicester City player Wesley Fofana broke his fast on the pitch during a Premier League match.[12][13]

Major League Soccer introduced a "sustenance break" in the 2023 season specifically for iftar. The break was indicated by the referee as a stoppage in play after sundown and treated as a hydration break.[14]

Prayer[edit]

Cheikhou Kouyaté makes dua before a game

Observance of their Islamic prayers has brought players into conflict with their managers. Harry Redknapp, when manager of West Ham United, was critical of player Frédéric Kanouté's prayer and fasting requirements.[15] Newcastle United considered the introduction of prayer rooms at both St James' Park and at their training ground. Whilst not designed exclusively for Muslims, the rooms were planned to be used for prayer by Muslim players Demba Ba, Papiss Cissé, Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheik Tioté. The club pointed out that this is in marked contrast to the experiences of their former player and convert to Islam, Didier Domi, who was mocked when discovered doing Islamic prayers in the showers.[16][17] By the 2012-13 season, Newcastle's seven Muslim players regularly used a purpose built multi-faith training ground prayer room.[18]

Several players, such as Demba Ba and Papiss Cissé, choose an act of prostration with forehead to the ground as a celebration after scoring a goal.[19] In 2012, football commentator Gary Lineker was forced to apologise after describing one such celebration by player Karim Ait-Fana for French side Montpellier against Schalke in the Champions League as "eating grass".[20] Muslim footballers have also worn T-shirts carrying messages relating to Islam under their football shirts. Queens Park Rangers player Adel Taarabt has worn a shirt carrying the message "I Love Allah" whilst Samir Nasri, in 2012, celebrated a goal for Manchester City against Southampton with a shirt carrying the message "Eid Mubarak".[21][22]

In October 2016, fans attending a World Cup qualifying game between Iran and South Korea at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran were asked to replace usual football chanting with religious chants as the match fell on a day of commemoration for Tasu'a, a Shia Islam holy day.[23]

Following the increase in its Muslim fan base, the English Premier League clubs are implementing prayer rooms in their stadiums. Newly promoted Aston Villa is one of the clubs that provides prayer facilities not only to its players, but also to its fans and employees. Other British clubs including Newcastle United, Swansea City, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Norwich City and Watford are also willing to accommodate match-day prayer accommodations. Tottenham Hotspur, who completed their new stadium construction in 2019, have implemented multi-faith prayer rooms.[24] In May 2022, Blackburn Rovers became the first club in the United Kingdom to host Eid prayers with 2000 people celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan on the pitch.[25]

Islam and English club football[edit]

The Premier League, England's top-tier football league, was officially founded in February 1992. During the league's inaugural 1992–93 season, only one Spanish player Nayim, practiced Islam.[26][27]

However, as of the 2018–19 season there were more than 50 Muslims playing in the Premier League and 19 out of the 20 teams had at least one Muslim player.[26] These include a number of prominent players including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, Manchester United's Paul Pogba, Arsenal's Mesut Özil, Chelsea's N'Golo Kanté and Kurt Zouma, and Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez.[28][27][29]

The growing number of Muslim players has been fueled by the internationalization of football.[30] That has also led to greater understanding and willingness on the part of Premier League clubs and fans to accommodate players' religious needs.[30] The league now employs a Muslim chaplain and some clubs have dedicated prayer rooms.[31]

Whilst Islamophobia in the Premier League still exists, the presence of Muslim football stars in the Premier League may be having a positive effect on Islamophobia across English society according to a Stanford University study which linked an 18.9% drop in anti-Muslim hate crimes in the county where Liverpool is located since Salah joined the team.[32]

In June 2021, it was announced that Premier League clubs would enter into a code for balancing sponsorship deals with the beliefs of Muslim players.[33] In March 2023, three Football League clubs (Millwall, Luton and Swansea) also signed it.[34]

In March 2022, it was announced that during the forthcoming Ramadan, players would be entitled to have a 'drinks break' to break their fast.[35] Later that month, Everton footballer Abdoulaye Doucoure spoke about the upcoming Ramadan period as a player.[36] The break was repeated in April 2023.[37]

As of April 2023, Bradford City's women's team had Muslim coaches.[38]

Kits and sponsorship[edit]

Muslim leaders in Malaysia have called for Muslims not to wear football shirts with crosses on the badge, such as FC Barcelona and Brazil, seeing them as prioritising Christianity. They have also warned against Manchester United shirts, which feature a devil.[39]

In 2012, Real Madrid removed a cross from their club crest on promotional material.[40] The change was linked with the building of a $1 billion sports tourist resort in the Islamic United Arab Emirates.[41][42]

Frédéric Kanouté used to modify his Sevilla shirt, to obscure the sponsorship from online casino 888.com. The club later came to an agreement that the player was not endorsing gambling by wearing it, and would be excused from any promotional material with 888.[43]

In July 2013, Newcastle United player Papiss Cissé refused to play in a shirt sponsored by Wonga.com, a payday loan company, as the charging of interest is not permitted under Islamic law.[44] Soon after, he agreed to wear the shirt after being photographed in a casino.[45]

Dress code[edit]

The requirements of Islamic dress code have been contradictory to the kit requirements of FIFA. In 2011, the Iran women's football team was prevented from playing a game in a qualifying round for the 2012 Olympic Games due to their kit which comprised full tracksuits and head coverings concealing their hair. Women in Iran are required to wear the maghnaeh to cover their heads. FIFA ruled that the kit broke one of their rules which states, "Players and officials shall not display political, religious, commercial or personal messages or slogans in any language or form on their playing or team kits." Although the Iranian footballing federation argued that the kit was neither religious nor political, Iran were prevented from playing the game which was awarded, 3–0 to Jordan.[46] By 2012, FIFA had changed their ruling declaring that women were free to wear the hijab at senior competitive level.[47]

In July 2023, a campaign was launched in England to allow schoolgirls to wear hijabs whilst playing football.[48] Later that month, Moroccan player Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup.[49][50]

Abuse[edit]

There have been numerous cases of anti-Muslim abuse aimed at Muslim footballers. In 2005, Egyptian footballer Mido whilst playing for Tottenham Hostpur was taunted by fans of West Ham United with "Your mum's a terrorist" and as a shoe bomber due to his likeness to Richard Reid.[51] In 2007, Mido, then playing for Middlesbrough was taunted by Newcastle United fans with anti-Muslim abuse.[52]

In October 2013, Muslim supporters of West Ham United were verbally abused whilst conducting Maghrib prayer in the Boleyn Ground during a Premier League game between West Ham and Manchester City.[53] In March 2015, Muslim supporters of Liverpool were criticised and abused on social media after they had used the half-time interval to pray on prayer mats in a stairwell at Anfield during a match between Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers.[54] Liverpool FC reacted immediately towards the abusive Tweet to the Merseyside Police and released an apology statement.[55]

Israeli club Beitar Jerusalem had their offices burned by Jewish nationalists in January 2013 after signing their first Muslim players.[4]

However, the attitude towards Muslim players are showing movement of change. The Premier league halted its tradition of giving champagne as a man-of-the-match award and altered it to a trophy when Muslim Manchester City star Yaya Touré began winning it on a regular basis. [30]

According to researchers at Stanford University, Liverpool FC and Egyptian star Mohammed Salah played an influential role in reducing Islamophobia in the region. Since his arrival, Merseyside county witnessed a 18.9% drop in anti-Islam crimes and significantly decreased anti-Muslim tweets (7.8% to 3.8%) in comparison to fans of other top-tier English clubs thanks to increase in familiarity with Islam.[56]

In February 2019, both West Ham United and the police investigated Islamophobic abuse towards Mohamed Salah emanating from the home supporters at the London Stadium during a game between West Ham and Liverpool. Video footage was obtained where someone can be heard shouting “Salah, you fucking Muslim, fucking Muslim cunt” at Salah.[57] In October 2020, a West Ham United supporter was convicted of committing a racially-aggravated public order offence. He was fined £400 and banned from football games for three years.[58]

In film[edit]

The 2006 film Offside deals with the subject of football, in this case in Iran, and female spectators. A ban made during the 1979 Iranian Revolution which stopped women from attending games, with Islamic religious leaders stating that women in stadiums was a recipe for disaster as they would see "bare legs" and hear profanities shouted by male fans. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had tried to end the ban before his attempts were vetoed by the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The film tells the stories of girls disguising themselves as males in order to watch a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match between Iran and Bahrain at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. It was banned from screening in Iran.[59]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  2. ^ Tusdiq Din (23 August 2011). "Fasting and football. How do top-flight Muslims cope?". The Independent. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  3. ^ Saj Chowdhury and Ben Smith (12 June 2013). "Newcastle's Papiss Cisse plans club talks over new shirt sponsor". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  4. ^ a b Paul Gittings (8 February 2013). "Israeli football club torched after signing Muslim players". CNN. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Iran in June: A Fever Pitch of Football and Politics". www.payvand.com. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  6. ^ "Girls FC". Al Jazeera. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  7. ^ Adams, Keith (26 August 2010). "Iran footballer returns after Ramadan fasting row". BBC News Middle East. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  8. ^ Edwards, Luke (25 September 2011). "Newcastle United's Demba Ba's destroys Blackburn Rovers with a hat-trick". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  9. ^ "Ajax duo break Ramadan fast during UCL semifinal vs Tottenham Hotspur". FOX Sports Asia. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  10. ^ "Tunisia player 'fakes injury' to end fast". 4 June 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  11. ^ MacInnes, Paul (13 June 2018). "How seven World Cup squads have prepared during Ramadan". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Fofana thanks Palace after breaking fast". BBC Sport.
  13. ^ "Eid: 'You can be Muslim and still enjoy playing football'". BBC Sport. 13 May 2021.
  14. ^ Baxter, Kevin (18 April 2023). "Commentary: Soccer leagues leading the way in supporting Muslim athletes during Ramadan". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  15. ^ Steve Bacon; Kirk Blows (16 August 2012). There's Only One Stevie Bacon: My Life Watching West Ham Through a Camera Lens. Biteback Publishing. pp. 1894–. ISBN 978-1-84954-459-7.
  16. ^ Ghozali, Faïza (23 February 2010). "Islam made in France" (in French). www.jeuneafrique.com. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  17. ^ Taylor, Louise (5 May 2012). "Alan Pardew keeping the faith in the Newcastle United revolution". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  18. ^ Taylor, Louise (17 June 2013). "Joe Kinnear's second coming could cause Newcastle United further regret". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  19. ^ Wallace, Sam (20 April 2013). "Demba Ba interview: 'Chelsea is the start of my career'". The Independent. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  20. ^ Hall, John (8 October 2012). "Gary Lineker apologises after joking that praying Muslim footballers were 'eating grass'". The Independent. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  21. ^ Aleem, Abdul. "The Influence Of Islam On English Football". Islamique Magazine. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  22. ^ "Nasri celebrates goal against Southampton with 'Eid Mubarak' T-shirt". ITV. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  23. ^ "Iran v South Korea: Supporters asked to mourn at World Cup qualifier". BBC Sport. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  24. ^ Din, Tusdiq (10 September 2015). "Premier League clubs are making progress over prayer rooms for fans". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  25. ^ "Blackburn Rovers becomes first UK football club to host Eid prayers". 2 May 2022 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  26. ^ a b "From the Red Side of the Field: Muslims in the English Premier League". Seattle Democratic Socialists of America. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Premier League: How Muslims are changing English football culture". 5 July 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  28. ^ "Top 40 Muslim Football Players". HowTheyPlay. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  29. ^ Pasztor, David (4 December 2015). "Zouma talks faith, family, Chelsea". We Ain't Got No History.
  30. ^ a b c "Islam in Football: The profound effect the religion has on the game". inews.co.uk. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  31. ^ Steinberg, Jacob (12 April 2019). "From parks to Premier League: the shocking scale of racism in English football". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  32. ^ Marcin, Tim (4 June 2019). "Mo Salah Has Singlehandedly Reduced Islamophobia in Liverpool". Vice. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  33. ^ "The 'gamechanging' charter for Muslim athletes". BBC Sport.
  34. ^ "Millwall, Luton and Swansea sign Muslim charter". BBC Sport. 8 March 2023.
  35. ^ "How football is evolving to help players in Ramadan". BBC Sport.
  36. ^ "'Faith before work' - Doucoure's life as a Muslim player". BBC Sport.
  37. ^ "Matches to be paused for fasting Muslim players". BBC Sport.
  38. ^ "NATH'S NATTERS: Bradford Muslims incredible in balancing sport with Ramadan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 22 April 2023.
  39. ^ Henderson, Barney (20 July 2010). "Muslims ban Manchester United shirts over red devil image". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  40. ^ Peck, Brooks (30 March 2012). "Real Madrid make small but deliberate change to their crest for UAE resort island partnership". Sports.Yahoo.com. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
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  42. ^ "Real Madrid Reband Logo for Muslim Fans". The Eastern Post. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  43. ^ Clissitt, Ben (5 April 2007). "Where did it all go right for Fredi Kanouté?". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  44. ^ Smith, Ben (17 July 2013). "Papiss Cisse pulls out of Newcastle tour after sponsor row". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  45. ^ Taylor, Louise (25 July 2013). "Papiss Cissé stands down in Wonga row and agrees to wear branded kit". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  46. ^ "Iran's women footballers banned from Olympics because of Islamic strip". The Guardian. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  47. ^ Warshaw, Andrew (5 July 2012). "Joy for FIFA Prince and Muslim women as football hijab ban is lifted". www.insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  48. ^ "Young footballer hopes hijab campaign will inspire others". 22 July 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  49. ^ "Benzina becomes first to wear hijab at World Cup". BBC Sport.
  50. ^ "Women's World Cup 2023: 'Nouhaila Benzina is a role model to us'". 30 July 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  51. ^ "Mido: I love it here and I want to stay". The Guardian. 26 November 2005. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  52. ^ Taylor, Louise (28 August 2007). "FA to investigate anti-Muslim abuse aimed at Mido". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  53. ^ "Muslims face racist chants at West Ham". BBC News. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  54. ^ "Liverpool FC considers action over Muslim prayer tweet". BBC News. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  55. ^ Ratcliffe, Rebecca (15 April 2015). "Liverpool FC to take action against man who branded praying Muslims 'disgrace'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  56. ^ "Can Exposure to Celebrities Reduce Prejudice? The Effect of Mohamed Salah on Islamophobic Behaviors and Attitudes". Immigration Policy Lab. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  57. ^ Steinberg, Jacob (6 February 2019). "West Ham and police investigate alleged Islamophobic abuse of Mohamed Salah". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.
  58. ^ "West Ham fan banned over Mohamed Salah racist abuse". BBC News. 14 October 2020.
  59. ^ "Iran censors hand Offside a red card". Al Jazeera. 23 May 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
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