Beeb doc more a pilgrimage to Macca

– alternative title: On Mohammed, Son! – was about the growing numbers of top-flight footballers who look East and worship Mecca.

This being a BBC production, it was made by those who look North-West and worship Macca (and Robbie, Stevie, Carra, et al).

The unshakeable pro-Liverpool bias at the BBC meant much of this documentary focused on Anfield, despite the Reds not having the highest concentration of Muslim players. But, hey, who needs Muslim players when you can have an interview with Lucas Leiva, telling us how he feels about the issue from that all-important Brazilian, Catholic perspective?

Plus, they did find Muslim players from other teams – of which, apparently, there are quite a few.

Ex-Stoke striker Mamady Sidibe proudly told us he did not join other players for gambling sessions in the Potters’ dressing room.

It would have been nice to hear how he felt about earning millions from a club owned by an online betting magnate, Peter Coates, but perhaps they forgot to ask.

There was also a fun strand about Omani football fans supporting Wigan because of goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

“He is like our own David Beckham,” one boasted, as they headed to Wembley for the FA Cup final.

And they were right. He spent all game on the bench!