French Football Federation Refuses Permission for Muslim Players to Break Ramadan Fast
From banning hijabs to restricting fasting, the FFF struggles to respect Islamic sentiments
Mar 18, 2024 11:35 AM CDT
Recently, the French Football Federation (FFF) has come under fire for its refusal to permit Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast during evening matches. The announcement has reignited discussions about inclusivity and diversity within the football community.
The federation issued a statement informing all football clubs, referees and match organizers about the decision, which forbids players from breaking their fast during matches. FFF cited Article 1.1 of the statute to justify their actions.
“We cannot allow breaks for Ramadan fasting during matches,” stated the federation’s spokesperson.” It is in line with our commitment to neutrality and the prevention of religious expressions during matches, as outlined in Article 1.1 of our statutes.”
Most of the French national football team players have African or Arab heritage. Muslim players in the French national football team, such as Ibrahima Konate and Paul Pogba, who gained international recognition during the recent World Cup tournament in Qatar, have been notified that matches cannot be rescheduled, delayed or changed to accommodate their fasting during Ramadan.
Critics have lambasted the FFF for what they perceive as a disregard for the religious obligations and physical well-being of Muslim players.
“The French Football Federation has once again shown its incompetence,” remarked a commenter on social media. “Several countries have prepared real arrangements to respect religious people, there was plenty of room to do the minimum.”
France’s Bias Against Islam: From Football to Women in Sports
This isn’t the first time the French soccer league has imposed such restrictions on Muslim players, similar measures were enacted last year.
In a leaked email, the French Football Federation to the Federal Commission of Referees claimed that referees should not stop time to allow players to break their fast by eating or drinking at sunset. Along with the ban, there was said to be punishment for those who break this rule.
The email stated, “A football field, a stadium, a gymnasium, are not places of political or religious expression, they are places of neutrality where values of sport, such as equality, fraternity, impartiality, learning to respect the referee, oneself and others, must prevail.”
France’s National Football Federation goes as far as recommending Muslim players postpone fasting for five days during the selection process to avoid affecting match performance.
Another manifestation of anti-Islamic actions in France involves recent proposals and laws aimed at regulating Muslim women’s attire in sports. In January 2022, the French Senate voted to prohibit wearing the hijab and other “conspicuous religious symbols” in sports competitions, citing safety concerns and the maintenance of neutrality in sports.
Nazma Khan, founder of the World Hijab Day organization, expressed her opinion on France’s decision to ban the hijab.
“Countries like France talk about women’s empowerment, but when it comes to Muslim women, they are going backwards by marginalizing Muslim women through hijab bans,” said Khan.
Surge of Islamophobia in France
Incidents of Islamophobia in France have been on the rise, with a significant increase in attacks and discrimination against Muslims. In 2020, there were 235 attacks on Muslims in France, marking a 53% increase from the previous year. These attacks targeted not only individuals but also mosques, with a 35% increase in attacks on mosques reported in the same year.
Over the past two decades, France has implemented several laws and policies that have been perceived as targeting the Muslim community, raising concerns about religious freedom and discrimination.
2004 Law on Religious Signs in Schools: This law prohibits the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, including headscarves, in public schools.
2010 Niqab Ban: France passed a law banning the niqab, a face-covering veil, in public spaces.
2011 Face Veil Ban: French Prime Minister François Fillon implemented a ban on face veils in public spaces in France, with exceptions for mosques, private residences, and cars.
Anti-Terrorism Bill (2017): Introduced in October 2017, this bill grants authorities the power to conduct home searches, restrict movement, and close places of worship, raising concerns about its impact on religious freedom.
As of January 2022, the French government reported conducting 24,887 investigations, resulting in the closure or dissolution of 718 Muslim organizations and the confiscation of €46 million ($50 million).
Imams Charter: This charter, recommended for repeal in a report, aims to regulate the conduct and teachings of imams and is part of the anti-Muslim policies in France.
Anti-Separatism Law: Proposed to combat “Islamist separatism,” this law includes measures to address practices like polygamy and forced marriage, as well as ensuring compulsory schooling for children starting at age three.
Nicolas Cadene, a co-founder of “Vigie Laïcité,” an organization dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of French secularism, explained, “over the past few years, France has witnessed strong tensions between those who want to distance themselves from religion and those who want to affirm it, especially when it comes to Islam.”
In stark contrast to the restrictions imposed on Muslim players by the French Football Federation during Ramadan, last year, referees in the English Premier League took a different approach. They were encouraged to pause matches for Muslim players to break their fast, allowing them to drink liquids or take supplements during evening matches.
This practice was observed not only in the Premier League but also in the English Football League, demonstrating a commitment to accommodating Muslim players during the holy month of Ramadan.
Germany and the Netherlands have also adopted similar practices to support Muslim players in observing their fast during matches.
