For Muslim soccer players living in France, which is highly secular, observing Ramadan has always been a difficult task, and this will continue to be the case.
France's soccer federation, which upholds the principle of religious neutrality enshrined in the French constitution, does not make it easy for international players who wish to abstain from drinking or eating from dawn to dusk during the Islamic holy month. .
Ahead of training camps in March, the federation made it clear that meal and practice schedules would not be changed to accommodate players who wish to fully observe religious observances.
Some left-wing politicians, coaches and former players were furious. The federation denied accusations of religious discrimination.
Secular views in France also prevent league referees from allowing matches to be suspended if Muslim players break their fast by snacking or drinking on the sidelines during an evening game. Such breaks are also allowed in neighboring countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
French secularism affirms freedom of religion, but stipulates that the state does not support any religion and remains neutral. The French Football Federation (FFF) says part of its mission is to defend strict adherence to secularism in French public life.
Critics claim this will lead to anti-Muslim rules.
“You want to ban them from being Muslim. Whether we like it or not, it's part of their identity that we're trying to erase,” said the French-born Muslim. Demba Ba, a former Senegalese national team player, said:
Throughout his professional career, he said he fasted for Ramadan, even on match days. He spoke of particularly grueling days while playing with Newcastle in the English Premier League, with games sometimes scheduled for 1pm in the summer when the sun sets late in this part of England. .
While Catholicism remains the main religion, Islam is the second most common faith in France, accounting for an estimated 10% of the population.
France is running out of accommodation during Ramadan, bucking the trend
In Muslim countries, clubs are changing their training schedules to make it easier for players who fast during Ramadan. In recent years, France's approach has looked increasingly isolated, with Western countries following suit.
In the English Premier League, captains of clubs with Muslim players can coordinate with match officials to impose a pause at sunset to allow players to break their fast. Australian football officials have adopted a similar approach, introducing a break for players during Ramadan for the first time this season. In the United States, Major League Soccer introduced drink breaks last year.
Additionally, some Premier League teams have signed the Muslim Athlete Charter, pledging to create a more inclusive environment.
Meanwhile, in France, Nantes coach Antoine Combouare said last year he helped his players adjust their schedules to fit Ramadan requirements, but fasting on match days was not an option.
Kombuare allowed his players to fast on weekdays, but he did not select any players to fast on game day.
“I respect that the player fasts. But on the other hand, he has to respect the rules that I have set, and that applies to everyone,” Kombuare said.
FFF president Philippe Diallo denied accusations that the federation effectively bans the observance of Ramadan due to strict rules.
“No one in the federation, including myself, has banned fasting,” Diallo told France Infomedia. “We do not accept the views of those who say that FFF discriminates on religious grounds.”
FFF said athletes who are fasting are allowed to skip meals and are also provided with medical advice. They also argue that Muslim athletes who choose to postpone their fasting day will be given a legitimate excuse in the eyes of religious authorities.
The controversy gained attention last year when France's Under-23 players reportedly threatened to go on strike for the right to fast, but Paris-based Red Star coach Habib Bey claimed that he was not religious. It expanded further by criticizing the Federation's framework related to fasting.
“I really respect any kind of beliefs of the players,” Bey said last week. “Some players are practicing for Lent. People only see the negatives, but I only see the benefits. It's about unity, discussion, unity that people don't see on the football pitch. will produce.”
Bey, who is the son of a Muslim and a Catholic, believes strict rules should only be imposed on Muslim players.
“I call it religious discrimination,” he said.
Water and dates are the traditional way for Muslims to break their fast during Ramadan. Last year, Paris Saint-Germain fans mocked the federation's rules by holding up a banner during a match that read: “A date, a glass of water: an FFF nightmare.”
The limits of soccer: separation of church and state debates
The debate over secularism remains volatile more than a century after the 1905 Separation of Church and State Act established secularism as a principle of the French Republic. The country's constitution states: “France is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social republic.” This guarantees the equality of all citizens before the law, regardless of origin, race or religion. ”
Radhika Adnani, a secular philosopher who studies how people interact with Islam, welcomed the FFF's decision to maintain the ban on breaking the fast during matches. By rejecting such a suspension, the federation is protecting Muslims who do not fast, she said. However, they may pretend to be fasting and refrain from drinking water to avoid retaliation from Muslim fans.
“Breaking the fast was originally a private matter,” she wrote in an op-ed in Le Figaro. “It was done at home with the family or in a restaurant. Suspending matches to allow players to end Ramadan early is more than just a 'refreshing holiday' and this Ramadan It is equivalent to establishing an atmosphere on the football field and imposing it on every player, every supporter and every viewer in the following way: It's a fait accompli. ”
At a recent meeting of France's senior national team players, no incidents related to Ramadan were reported. But last week, French media reported that Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diawara had withdrawn from France's Under-19 national training camp after learning of the religious fasting regulations. Asked for comment, Lyon and the French federation did not provide a reason for Diawara's refusal to attend.
Diallo said that to ensure a neutral approach, schedules and general training camp practices cannot be changed purely for religious reasons.
“I respect everyone's beliefs,” he said. “When players are selected for the French national team, I don't ask them about their religion.”
FFF insists that this rule is not anti-Islamic and is unacceptable, as players wishing to fast in connection with Lent, for example, must also adhere to the federation's framework.
The controversy arose when France's highest administrative court ruled last year that the French Football Federation had the right to ban the wearing of headscarves at matches, despite potentially restricting freedom of expression. It is reminiscent of the heated debate that occurred.
The State Council made the ruling after a group of scarf-wearing soccer players known as “Les Hijaboos” (the word hijab refers to a scarf) campaigned against the ban and filed a lawsuit.
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