Ramadan fast sparks debate ahead of World Cup
CAIRO: Should top athletes fast during Ramadan? The question has provoked an often heated debate in Muslim countries, particularly as national teams prepare for the 2018 World Cup.
For Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco — four Muslim-majority countries competing in this year’s World Cup in Russia — the end of the Muslim holy month on Thursday coincides with the tournament’s kick-off.
The traditional fast has long proved divisive among players, fans, coaches and preachers — and this year was no different.
After Egypt’s 0-0 draw against Colombia on June 1, The Pharaohs’ Argentinian coach Hector Cuper said the Ramadan fast had “affected the players” performance.
Cuper’s comments came shortly after Egyptian superstar forward Mohamed Salah was injured while playing for Liverpool in the European Champions League final.
An observant Muslim, Salah decided not to fast ahead of the May 26 match in Kiev against Real Madrid — which Liverpool lost 3-1.
A Kuwaiti sheikh said Salah’s injured shoulder — which kept him out of the remaining friendly matches — was “divine punishment”.
But religious figures and citizens across the region rushed to defend Salah — beloved both in Egypt and across the Arab world.
In Saudi Arabia — home to Islam’s two holiest sites — the kingdom’s football federation sparked controversy earlier this year when it ruled players could abstain from the fast if they applied for a “permit”. The decision angered Saudis, who denounced it on social media. In Tunisia, players organised their schedule around fasting hours, training just before iftar — the breaking of the fast.