MUNICH — Saudi soccer players will not accept World Cup man-of-the-match awards for religious reasons, said the Saudi Football Federation on Wednesday, June 14.
"The main reason is because the sponsoring company specializes in alcohol, and the award itself is a cup of beer," said Abdullah al-Dabel, a federation official, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Technical Study Group of world soccer's governing body FIFA names the match's best player, an award backed by US beer company Anheuser Bush Bud, one of the official sponsors of the tournament.
"We won't accept this award for religious reasons. No Muslim player should accept it," said the Saudi official.
Saudi Arabia, three-time Asian champions playing in Group H, drew 2-2 Wednesday with Tunisia in their opener.
Tunisia's Ziad Jaziri was named Man of the Match after he scored his team's first goal and setting the second in the injury time.
It was not immediately clear if the Saudi announcement, which was made before the match, had influence the decision.
Alcohol from mini bars and the nude photos in the fitness area have been removed and porn TV channels turned off in the hotel hosting the Saudi soccer team.
Islam prohibits alcohol and all kinds of intoxicants.
Disappointed
Wednesday's draw has disappointed many Saudi fans, who wished to win their opener before playing with other group members Ukraine and Spain.
"Now we have to take the long and more risky way along the tournament," Bandar Abu Ras, 27-year-old Saudi art director, told the Saudi English-daily Arab News.
Abu Ras, who was wearing a green T-Shirt of the national team, said the Saudi footballers started the match in a nervous attitude, but they got more relaxed by the second half of the match.
Yasmin Mahri, a 23-year-old public relations coordinator, was also disappointed.
"A draw is better than loosing. They could have done better," she said holding the kingdom's green flag.
But Mohammed Shata, a 23-year-old college student, disagreed.
"Frankly, I thought the team would lose against Tunisia," he said sporting the national team T-Shirt.
Saudi fans, however, expressed confidence in the their team ability to do better in the next matches
"Overall, we’re optimistic about the Saudi team," said Yassir Otaibi, from Jeddah.
"We’re cheering and hoping our team will win against Ukraine."
Another fan from Jeddah, Zuhair Bashamir, also sounded upbeat.
"We’re optimistic. The guys played good and we think we’ll win the next match."
http://islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/15/05.shtml
"The main reason is because the sponsoring company specializes in alcohol, and the award itself is a cup of beer," said Abdullah al-Dabel, a federation official, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Technical Study Group of world soccer's governing body FIFA names the match's best player, an award backed by US beer company Anheuser Bush Bud, one of the official sponsors of the tournament.
"We won't accept this award for religious reasons. No Muslim player should accept it," said the Saudi official.
Saudi Arabia, three-time Asian champions playing in Group H, drew 2-2 Wednesday with Tunisia in their opener.
Tunisia's Ziad Jaziri was named Man of the Match after he scored his team's first goal and setting the second in the injury time.
It was not immediately clear if the Saudi announcement, which was made before the match, had influence the decision.
Alcohol from mini bars and the nude photos in the fitness area have been removed and porn TV channels turned off in the hotel hosting the Saudi soccer team.
Islam prohibits alcohol and all kinds of intoxicants.
Disappointed
Wednesday's draw has disappointed many Saudi fans, who wished to win their opener before playing with other group members Ukraine and Spain.
"Now we have to take the long and more risky way along the tournament," Bandar Abu Ras, 27-year-old Saudi art director, told the Saudi English-daily Arab News.
Abu Ras, who was wearing a green T-Shirt of the national team, said the Saudi footballers started the match in a nervous attitude, but they got more relaxed by the second half of the match.
Yasmin Mahri, a 23-year-old public relations coordinator, was also disappointed.
"A draw is better than loosing. They could have done better," she said holding the kingdom's green flag.
But Mohammed Shata, a 23-year-old college student, disagreed.
"Frankly, I thought the team would lose against Tunisia," he said sporting the national team T-Shirt.
Saudi fans, however, expressed confidence in the their team ability to do better in the next matches
"Overall, we’re optimistic about the Saudi team," said Yassir Otaibi, from Jeddah.
"We’re cheering and hoping our team will win against Ukraine."
Another fan from Jeddah, Zuhair Bashamir, also sounded upbeat.
"We’re optimistic. The guys played good and we think we’ll win the next match."
http://islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/15/05.shtml
ffended: what were the pics doing there in the first place??
