French Football Federation ‘sends email BANNING interruptions in games for Muslim players to eat’
The French Football Federation ‘sends an email to referees BANNING game interruptions for Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan’ in stark contrast to the Premier League which IS allowing matches to be temporarily halted
- The French Football Federation has reportedly given instructions to officials
- A leaked email suggests they won’t let games stop due to Ramadan
- Premier League allows Muslim players to break their fast mid-game
Apparently, the French Football Federation sent a warning email to the referees telling them that games will not be stopped to allow Muslim players to break their fast.
Ligue 1 returned after the international break on Friday night when Marseille drew 1-1 at home against Montpellier.
A leaked email suggests that the FFF has prohibited officials from stopping games to allow players to consume food and water on the side of the field.
Players of the Islamic faith are currently going through the Ramadan period which requires them to refrain from drinking or eating from sunrise to sunset.
The French body’s move is in stark contrast to the Premier League’s decision, which ordered referees to pause matches to allow players to consume food and drink.
Referees in French professional leagues have apparently been told not to stop play for players to break Ramadan.
Muslim players competing in Ligue 1 will not be allowed to stop mid-game to break their fast.
Match officials in England’s four professional divisions have been asked to suspend night game matches to allow Muslim players to take fluids, energy gels and supplements.
In addition, the English teams were told to try to agree a difficult time with the referee before kick-off for the short interruption to take place.
However, the opposite decision has been made in the French professional divisions with the FFF email telling the referees: “Football does not take into account the political, religious, ideological or union considerations of its actors.”
By contrast, the Premier League has decided to let players break their fast at mid-game. Burnley’s game against Southampton last season was stopped in the first half to allow the visiting players to break their fast during Ramadan.
‘This principle is binding on everyone: authorities – clubs – licensees – arbitrators. It’s up to all stakeholders to enforce it, “it’s written at the bottom of the email,” he added.
French international and Aston Villa winger Lucas Digne, who has made 46 appearances for the national team, was the first to respond to the claims.
Digne’s post on his Twitter account responded by suggesting the federation was living in the past when he wrote: ‘2023’ along with three face-clapping emojis.
Meanwhile, Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure claimed the Premier League was “the best league for Muslims”.