Premier League: How Muslims are changing English football culture
By Rob Cowling BBC Religion
When the Premier League started in 1992, it included just one footballer known to be Muslim, Tottenham's Spanish midfielder Nayim. England's top division now features 40 Muslim players and they are having a significant effect on the culture of the game.
On 5 February, 2012, Newcastle United played Aston Villa at St James' Park and one moment symbolised the impact Muslim players were having on the Premier League.
After 30 minutes, Demba Ba scored for the home side. He raced to the corner flag and was joined by Senegalese compatriot Papiss Cisse. The two devout Muslims then sank to their knees in prayer.
The growing influx of Muslim players has been fuelled by the internationalisation of football.
Scouts have spread their nets wider in the search for new talent and the Premier League has become a much more diverse place.
Young men with origins in remote villages of west Africa or tough estates in Paris have become global stars.
They may have found wealth and fame playing for English clubs, but many still hold on to something that is rooted in their cultural identity, something that guides them and comforts them when the going gets tough - their Islamic faith.
When a player of the calibre of Ba, who left Newcastle last year to join Chelsea, says he is serious about his religion, some might argue clubs cannot afford not to listen.
And there is a genuine willingness, on the part of managers and clubs, to understand and accommodate the religious needs of their players.
Muslim footballers are provided with halal food, have the option to shower separately from the rest of the team and are given time and space for prayer.
Until recently, all Premier League players named man of the match were awarded a bottle of champagne.
Yet for Muslims, alcohol is forbidden. So when Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure politely refused to accept his award on religious grounds during a television interview, the competition organisers were forced to sit up and take notice.
Champagne was phased out and now all players receive a small trophy instead.
When Liverpool won the League Cup final in 2012, players had the sensitivity to move the clothes of their team doctor, a devout Muslim, out of the changing rooms so that alcohol wasn't sprayed over them.
Yet there are challenges to managing Muslim players and Ramadan is a particular pressure point.
How can players who aren't eating or drinking for up to 18 hours of the day perform at the highest level over 90 minutes of a game?
Some players insist on fasting every day. Others may fast during training but not a match day. Clubs tend to muddle through with some kind of compromise, but it can't be an easy period for players or managers.
Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby, 27, says: "Arsenal would prefer me to not fast, but they understand this is a special moment for me and they try to accommodate things to make me better."
Ba, 28, admits he has had some issues with managers about Ramadan, but says he has been steadfast.
"Every time I had a manager that was not happy with it, I've said: 'Listen, I'll do it. If my performance is still good, I'll keep playing; if it's bad you drop me on the bench, that's it.'"
Former Stoke striker Mamady Sidibe, 33, insists: "You have some players who are fasting on a match day and doing very well, it's no problem. I make sure that on match day I'm not fasting and not to give excuses to people."
Ramadan this year ends on 7 August, 10 days before the start of the Premier League season.
Sponsorship deals have also been a source of tension. Teams who advertise gambling and pay day loan companies on their shirts put their Muslim players in a difficult position, as it means they are being used to promote activities which contradict Islamic teaching.
Last month Cisse said he planned to talk to Newcastle and their new sponsors, Wonga, because he was worried his Muslim beliefs would be compromised if he were seen to promote the company.
Crewe striker Nathan Ellington, 32, who has also played for Wigan and West Brom, takes the view that he cannot affect which sponsor his club chooses.
He said: "I think that's usually out of the hands of the Muslim. Although he's not allowed to gamble, that's something you cannot affect really."
Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi, 31, agrees: "We are players and these are things that are coming from the football club. We can't do anything about it, we just do our job."
Fans are also getting an education in Muslim practices.
When manager Alan Pardew suggested Ba's slow start to the 2011-12 season was due to his fasting, fans picked up on it and marked every subsequent goal with a song celebrating how many goals he had scored since Ramadan, to the tune of Depeche Mode's Just Can't Get Enough.
Children playing football in the parks of Newcastle have even been spotted falling to their knees as if in prayer themselves after scoring a goal.
They may not completely understand what it means, but it's a sign that Muslim practices are becoming a more familiar part of popular British culture.
Taken from HERE
This is very interesting because I realize that Muslims used to be banned in England but now it’s the second largest religion there. And how far we have come until English football clubs accommodate and understand the Muslims player’s conditions on certain things. This shows how globalization and tolerence works in the community.
ReplyDeleteRegarding about fasting during football season, it’s amazing how persistent they are about fasting eventhough they need to be in their top performance. It’s not easy to fast through that, my Muslim friends tend to break their fast because of playing football in school. They would say that they can’t stand the heat and they are dehydrated. But as we can see there are more devoted people out there, and we should learn from them. It’s hard enough to fast in a foreign country where we see people casually eat and drink while we are trying our best to resist the urge to drink that cold drink.
"This is very interesting because I realize that Muslims used to be banned in England but now it’s the second largest religion there."
DeleteWhat period in British history are you referring to here?
This article shows that muslim players are take a big part in English premier league. There are many muslims world class footballer in English premier league, such as: Samir Nasri (Man.city), Demba ba (Chelsea), Papiss Cisse (Newcastle), etc. Those players are the key player on their club. Every key player usually has their own style, and usually club fans are tend to be like their favorite player. Style or other stuffs that wear by their favorite player. Muslims player bring their Islamic style not only in their daily activities but also in the football field. Like Demba ba who celebrates his goal by running to the corner of the field then sank to their knees in prayer. Might be people do not know what is the meaning by doing that thing, but muslims knew that it is the way to be grateful to what we got in our life. Muslim players bring the new color in English premier league.
ReplyDelete"Muslims player bring their Islamic style not only in their daily activities but also in the football field. Like Demba ba who celebrates his goal by running to the corner of the field then sank to their knees in prayer."
DeleteDo you think this is significant to the millions of Muslim fans of the EPL around the world? Do you think the United Kingdom's image in the eyes of the Muslim world is improved?
This article is really interesting for me because, it shows that religion is just our choice about what we beliefs in. It shouldn't affect how we perform on our job. Even during Ramadan the Muslim players really should do their best while doing their job, that is playing football. For me, fasting should not be a reason that someone could not perform as good as when their are not fasting. We have to stay professional on our job. I really appreciate all of the Muslims that are willing to give their best on the field, even when their are fasting. It's not an easy thing to do, but the fact is that they can do it. RESPECT!
ReplyDelete"This article is really interesting for me because, it shows that religion is just our choice about what we beliefs in."
DeleteThis raises an interesting philosophical question. While I can accept that we can CHOOSE to follow a certain religion or CHOOSE to observe its rules [i.e. behave in a certain way], can we really CHOOSE to believe something? When it comes to supernatural or spiritual matters, isn't our belief something that we cannot control? If we believe something is true, we cannot choose to not believe it. Surely we have no choice? Similarly, if we do not believe that something is true, we cannot choose to believe it. Right? Am I making sense?
As a footballer too, I need to give an opinion in this article. In my own opinion I think knowing who Muslims and who not is not important. Football is a universal game where everyone can play. Religion is a belief where football is just a game. People can choose any kind of belief what they want and still can play. The rules are simple, just obey the ref and game will be enjoyable. However, it’s not wise to tell what to do with their beliefs. We need just to leave them with their beliefs. For example like Muslims in the fasting period. The football associations cannot tell them to not fasting because it’s related to their beliefs. Is just like telling the Christian to not to go to the church. But I think religion and football is a prefect combination, as football is a universal game, it can shares between cultural and sport. Just like Alan Pardew who learned a lot from the Muslims culture when he coach Demba Ba and Pappis Cisse. At first maybe he shows some rejection but at the end he finally understand it.
ReplyDeleteAskar: 'I think religion and football is a prefect combination, as football is a universal game, it can shares between cultural and sport."
DeleteKris: "Religion and Football. These two terms are in the different world. These things can’t be mixed. Each of them stands by its way."
I wonder if you two can find some common ground on this topic.
Religion and Football. These two terms are in the different world. These things can’t be mixed. Each of them stands by its way. Religion is a belief, on the other hand football is a sport.
ReplyDeleteIn case of this modern era, when a lot of football player move to most Europe teams, we have a price that we must pay. We have a huge diversity in Europe League, for instance in Premier League. There are a lot of Muslim player nowadays, consequently there will be a new culture in the place where football was born, English football. As a result, the way a season is running will be a quite different treatment.
Regarding that kind of pluralism, I think professionalism must be kept in the highest place. In a game, all of the players are same. They work together as one team to chase a glory. As a professional football player, I think a Muslim player can’t have exception because of their belief. They have to stay in a professional way, and so does the team. The team is not ethics if they ask Muslim player acts in a commercial to promote a gambling company. Either the players, they are not ethics if they are asking for dispensation during fasting month.
Overall in this case, tolerance and professionalism is all we need. I really appreciate Muslim players who keep in their top performance even though they are fasting. And on the other hand, I also appreciate the team for respecting a big pluralism in football.
"Religion and Football. These two terms are in the different world. These things can’t be mixed. Each of them stands by its way. Religion is a belief, on the other hand football is a sport."
DeleteIf you're interested, I suggest you investigate the rivalry between the two main football teams in Glasgow (Scotland's biggest city), Rangers and Celtic, between whom there is an infamous mix of religion and football.
This article is really interesting for me because, previously I’ve read some articles that discuss this kind of topic. First article that I've read was about Kolo Toure who had just become Liverpool players and still doing his routines in football such as training and matches, although he had fasting period in Ramadan. He said that when he was fasting, he feels even stronger and discipline, because mentally he is controlling his emotions. The club also support Kolo Toure when he was fasting as the physiotherapists, doctors, and staff trainer give him special programs. They also provide space for prayers at Melwood training ground. Even players like Luis Suarez was often reminded Kolo Toure if the time has come to break his fasting. Another article that I read was Newcastle United build a mosque for their muslims player because, the club want to appreciate their contribution for the club. This means that the football club give respect, support, and appreciate for their muslim players hard work when they had their fasting periods.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see that many European football clubs make an effort to make Muslim players feel comfortable by providing them with facilities to practice their religion. Concerning the case of the man of the match who gets a bottle of champagne I think it is a good step to give Muslim players a trophy instead, as they are not allowed to drink alcohol. Nevertheless, I think that players with other religious beliefs could still get the champagne if they would like to.
ReplyDeleteOf course it is difficult for Muslim players who play for a club whose sponsor is a gambling company. But every player is used to promote the sponsoring company and its products, and the football club gets money in exchange. That's how the deal with sponsors works. So I think that Muslim players can't resist to promote a product which is against their beliefs because -as already many people said in their comments - football is a team game and sometimes the individual has to sacrifice himself for the good of the club.
In the Ramadan discussion I really like Demba Ba’s position. He says that he wants to fast, but as soon as his performance decreases because of fasting the coach should put him on the bench. He insists on living according to Islamic rules, but he also takes the consequences of it. He realizes that when his performance decreases because of fasting that would be to the disadvantage of the team. But I would like to mention that players should also think of the consequences their fasting has on their health. Playing a 90 minutes football match without eating and drinking the whole day could be really unhealthy. But if they do it anyway is their choice.
Well, actually I do not know much about football, but I think this article is quite interesting. Why? Because in my opinion, the muslims do not totally change the English football, but it is like they respect each other. As we know, muslims increase rapidly , and maybe most of new football players are muslims. If the football teams want to have the talented and great football players, it means that the football teams should provide the players’ needs. So in my opinion, if there are a lot of muslims football players, the football teams should respect them, for example the muslims must not drink alchohol, muslims have their own praying time, and many more. And the next is about the way how muslims express their feeling about how to be grateful by falling to their knees after scoring a goal. That makes the muslims practice about give thanks to God become familiar in society.
ReplyDeleteI don't really like football. Quite a lot, I admit. But this article is interesting.
ReplyDeleteSo English footballer Muslims keeps their head hard by declining, in a polite way, things that could crack the foundation of their religious belief. I never expected this to generate, really. So far, I always think that there's no way a Muslim in Europe could participate in a large-scale football match such as Premier League. The fact that there's a Muslim playing in football of the country I always interested to come to (Britain) gives me a relieve... somehow.
I don't expect for all footballers of England to become Muslims; that's just a selfish grand thought, but for alcohol use decreasing and the picture of a footballer kneeling out of his joy; It's a good thing that these Muslim culture are respected by England. With that, the idea that Muslims are a bad threat should dissipate, although slowly.
Indonesian footballers are mostly Muslims too, and they respect the needs. It's not a big problem here in Indonesia, since Muslim is a majority religion here, but in England, or probably Britain, where Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are included, it's a tough challenge, as the religion there is widespread. the major religion of England is Christianity, and there are some who are non-religious (according to Mr. Wikipedia), so for such Muslim behaviour to be respected, I would say it's a moral victory for them.
Two Thumbs Up for English footballer Muslims.
Well, I was quietly interested in football. A person who got some interest with football usually love to play football, So do I.
ReplyDeleteIn case this article says that muslim are changing English football I think is not quietly true. If all player who played in England change their religion to muslim maybe what this article says is absolutely true. I think Demba Ba 2012 moment is more perfect called Demba Ba is motivated muslim football player.
As a muslim, I was proud when demba ba do that celebration, actually I was watch that clearly live even at television at my home. In this era muslim football players are growth rapidly in last 10 years and there is a lot football players who was rated as a top rated players. Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and many more is my example.
Stay positive to our different.
☺
The article above shows us that Muslims has changed the face of English football. It makes football in English more tolerate about the differences between religions among the footballers. This is proven by the change of the habit made by the Premier League such as giving a bottle of champagne for the man of the match. Other than that, I read an article in the local newspaper that Newcastle United which has the most Muslims player in Premier League has built a Mushola for their Muslims players
ReplyDeleteAs we know that Muslims in Western country are minority. I hope that respect also appeared not only in the religion matters but also in the racial matters which still happened oftenly in the Premier League. In the bigger scope, I also hope that the way which Premier league used to respect the Muslims footballers also emulated by every people around the world so we can minimize conflict that caused by religion matters.
As a Muslim and a football fanatic, i found this article very interesting. I take 2 points of this article out: universality and acculturation. First, about the universality, since football is a universal thing to people, Muslims can also take part of it. Nowadays, we find many Muslims play on the highest level of football, like Demba Ba, Mesut Ozil, Papiss Cisse, and others. Bringing new people to new places always carry their culture too. And we can see it in English Football these days, just like Demba Ba’s goal celebration, Ozil’s habit to pray before matches, and of course their belief to not drink alcohol or gamble and also their Ramadan. So, since football and players (which carry their beliefs of religion) cannot be separated, people just leave them with their beliefs, and just enjoy the game.
ReplyDeleteThen about the acculturation, new people brings new culture. English culture is totally different to muslims, since Christian culture is English main culture. And now, Muslims also play in English football, and we can see the process of acculturation is happening. Like we can see Newcastle United have already build their own mosque because there are some Muslims in their first team squad. Another example is now people respect Muslim beliefs, like when Yaya Toure of Manchester City refused to accept his champagne, and the competition organizer respect his belief. Yes, the process of acculturation is happening, not only in English Football, but everywhere.
Well the headline is muslims are changing English football, but I didn’t agree with that statement. Yes, muslims players in England are increasing but I think that didn’t affect on English football, why? like Demba Ba scored and he raced to the corner with his companions and they sank to their knees as they celebrating Demba Ba's goal, this article shows that children playing football in the parks of Newcastle have been spotted celebrating his goal like Demba Ba, indeed Demba Ba's celebration affect but I think its affect in small amount of percentage because there are many celebration when someone score, Demba Ba's celebration maybe is "unusual" so that’s why children celebrating like that. In my opinon, what really affect in changing english football is when english football players dominated by muslims, it will totally affect in changing english football. One more thing, playing a match in Ramadhan is totally hard, but for all the players mentioned in this article that didn’t break his fast they are really great!
ReplyDeleteI think this phenomenon where there is an increase in Muslim football player is very good towards the image of Muslims. Nowadays Muslim is always pictured as religions that bring anarchy, chaos, etc. And with this phenomenon they have actually change that image towards better stereotype. But alongside with this phenomenon there are also a controversy like the Muslims players becoming the model for example beers company which in Islam alcohol is a big no for the Muslims. I am also a Muslim and the increase of Muslim players is really making me proud of my own religion. At first when I discovered some of the famous football players is a Muslim I couldn’t believe it as their faces are not very “Muslim face.” And other thing that making me very proud of them are they still can play in Ramadan or the fasting which personally it’s very tiring as they must running around for 90 minutes with a very little chance to take a break. What I hope the most from managers of the club is to be more considerate with the Muslim players so that they will not break their rules in order to stay in their top performance.
ReplyDeleteHere is an interesting article from the BBC Sports web site about EPL players' contracts.
ReplyDelete"Robbie Fowler admits he never looked at his. Paul Gascoigne's reportedly stated he must live close to a fishing lake. And Stefan Schwarz's banned him from travelling into space. Footballers' contracts are sometimes lucrative, often complex and occasionally bizarre. They can also be at the centre of big disputes between clubs and their players. So what exactly does a modern footballer's contract look like?"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23923904
It should not be necessarily called Muslims changing the English football, it is about how there are a lot of Muslim players in the English Premiere League and how those players are such a religious individuals. I am a football fan and from my point of view I see that all it changes is the diversity of the league so far and not about the system of the league itself. Sure there is the champagne reward that is replaced by the small trophy, but that is minor. What interests me is that for example; when it comes to a player like Demba Ba (28 years old, formerly a Newcastle United Player) which he is very talented yet such religious player, what can a club do when they see him? They would still sign a contract with him regardless of how religious he is. Chelsea Football Club signed him with I believe a five-year contract and is worth about £70,000 a week (from what I know), given with other facilities such as the halal food and others. It interests me because it means that the clubs in English Premier League respects the Muslim religion as well. An applause for Chelsea, other English clubs and the religious players.
ReplyDeleteMuslim is one of religions in the world. Since Muslim took a part in football, I become interested in football. Well, the ground reason to like football actually not because of religion, but the sportive among the player. Nowadays, Muslim is related to violation and terrorism, which aren’t taught by our prophet and they are all WRONG (Sorry for caps lock, just to emphasize). Muslim is peace, Muslim is full of toleration and Muslim can be blended in diversity. Thankfully football has recovered the term “Muslim”. Football now gives tolerations for players who are fasting, need some time to have a pray (shalat) and not drink (beer). Many Muslim players scrape achievements for their team, like Demba Ba who has set goals for Chelsea, and so on. Not being fanatic, toleration given by football manager for Muslim players made me proud and eager to watch football, particularly to team who has Muslim players there. I agree with this changing, Muslim not totally changing football but adding diversity there.
ReplyDeleteThe qualities of European players are well known worldwide. So most players are demanding higher pay for their services. It forces many football clubs to scout other regions. Most football clubs will likely to choose Asia. Therefore the chances of recruiting Muslims player are high, since the majority of Muslims reside in Asia. There are many reasons behind it.
ReplyDeleteFirst, there are so many untapped players with exceptional qualities. With that in mind many football clubs investing a lot of money to find a great player. Some football clubs are building football school in countries in Asia (i.e. Arsenal Soccer School).
Second, many players from Asia will not demand a high pay. This is because most countries in Asia have lower living cost. If they were asked to play in Europe and get paid in Euro, they will likely accept the offer.
Hence with many football clubs starting to scout Asians players, hence the probability of recruiting a Muslim player will increase as well. With increasing number of Muslim player, it will also change the game environment in the field. Thus F.A as the organising body has to adapt to the new changes that happened.
The development described in the article shows once more that globalization finds its way in every area. I think that football is internationalized and becoming a more diverse place, as well as that men from remote areas that are talented get the chance to become a global star is a very good thing. It also shows off great respect towards other cultures that the religion of several Muslim players is taken into account. In my opinion it is not self-evident that these players are served special halal-food or that they changed the award from champagne into a small-trophy, which was a tradition over centuries. But on the other hand I think those Muslim football players should be professional enough to place the duties of their job over the practice of Ramadan for instance, otherwise they can´t not do the football playing as a profession. The Muslim players should really appreciate the thoughtfulness of the Premier League.
ReplyDeleteEven though I am not football fanatic, I am quite interested about the topic. However I am not absolutely agree that Muslims are changing English football. From my point of view, Muslims or Islam if I may say, is creating a new and diverse way of English football. I am fascinated on how the organizer of the tournament act quickly when one the players of the crowned team refuses to accept the Champagne and instead of that change it into little trophy, which is in my opinion is quite cute. As it can be seen from here that the Muslim player are quite respected. Another example is when Demba Ba's fans keep cheering for him even though he's fasting when it is hard enough to play till the half-time. What I am trying to say is that these Muslim players is still keeping their religious belief while professionally doing their job and because of this they influence their surroundings. However that does not mean they changes the whole English football system.
ReplyDeleteI dont think that "Muslims are changing English football", but I think, Muslims will show the value of Islam, which known as Religion that brings the terrorists idealism. Not changing the English football, but will make it better. Why? we know from like Ba's lifestyle and muslims' lifestyle which not consume such as alcohol, it will be much better if not consuming alcohol is implemented in the club.
ReplyDeleteNow many fotball club, put the their tolerance for the Muslim players like giving time for the player to stand their prayer, also the club permitt the player to fasting while the club is on match schedule.
Hence, we know that now people have slowly accepting Muslim involved in their life, as i heard there are still many people have an ''Islamophobia'' which means a hyper-feared of Muslim. I hope by the growing sum of Muslim player in English football will vanish the idea that Muslim is just bring terrorism. I hope people will slowly understand what the real Muslim is
This article is really interesting because as we know, that foreign people stereotype Muslim as the most dangerous religion in the world, because they think Muslim is terrorist, but this articles says that their stereotype is not 100% true. The changing of Muslim in the English football is proved by the ability of Muslim to mix and tolerate with other. I’m much obliged about the recovering of football in the term of Muslim. Nowadays, football give so many toleration to Muslim player such as giving them a break to do their prayer, allowing them for fasting even though there’s a match,etc. The toleration don’t make the football players become unprofessional, they keep their professionalism and their responsibility. It can be proved from the achievement of demba who has set goals for Chelsea. I really agree with this changing, even though they do not change the whole football in English, but they take a part on it.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very interesting to me, even though I don’t like football. Because I don’t know there are any Muslim players in English team. “How can players who aren't eating or drinking for up to 18 hours of the day perform at the highest level over 90 minutes of a game?” I think it is very hard for Muslim players to practice football or play in a match when they’re fasting. Fasting in foreign country where the majority is non-Islam itself is hard enough. But like people said, when there’s a will there’s a way. I’m a Muslim, and I’m really proud of them. And to hear Demba ba, a Muslim player in English team, scored for the home side, is a just pleasant thing to hear. Religion is a choice and a way of life. Other people can’t say whether it’s right or wrong. And they can’t judge the way we pray to our God. And it’s also nice to hear that non-Muslim respects our religion. Thank you for reading.
ReplyDeleteWell this article took my attention to read it because I’m a football lover and I also observe football. No doubt football these days are more universal than it was. Now football is more for everyone from every countries, races, and also religions. Possibly this happens because football now is the greatest sport in the world we live in. Well for me, it’s not the religion-in this case Islam- changes the premier league. It’s the people who embrace Islam that change it. If premier league is changing because of Muslims, it has nothing to do with Islam. It changes because of the Muslim players and also owners. Maybe the easiest example is the change that is happening for Manchester City. Since the arrival of the new owner from the middle east Sheikh Mansour, City has become one of the biggest teams in Premier League. By adding more and more money to his team, Sheikh Mansour makes changes in Manchester City, and also in the premier league. And also the players, by the likes of Yaya Toure, Demba Ba, Hatem Ben Arfa, etc. it shows that Football is for everyone. If someone told me that English Football is changing because of there are many Muslims in it, I would be disagree. I would rather say that in this period, football is for everyone. Football is everyone’s game. It has nothing to do with religions, races, or colors. Just enjoy and love the game.
ReplyDeleteMan City have a few Muslim players - Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure, Abdul Razak, Kolo Toure's just left. Newcastle do as well, as lots of Africans tend to be Muslim, especially from countries such as Senegal and Ivory Coast.
ReplyDeleteGiven the natural suspicions of Islam in this country, if it helps people become a bit more educated on the subject then i'm 100% for it, but at the same time I think it's important to not judge a player on his religion and/or his beliefs.I dont see why we have to change the Champagne as a MOTM prize to suit a small minority, or any complains about sponsors but i full agree with moving of the clothes so they didn't get sprayed with alcohol.Its all about a bit of give and take and understanding on both sides and theres nothing wrong with promoting that. The whole fasting issue is really for the individual and the clubs to decide but it doesn't seem to be a huge obstacle so fair enough. I see no problem with having different religions in football, what someone thinks is their own thing. If there were Jedi's, Vulcan's, Muslims, Christians, etc in a team, it wouldn't bother me, what would bother me, is their ability with a football, and their attitude towards the team.
First time I got surprised with the condition of the Moslem football players in England was in 2007. I read news in internet that mentioned about the first English-woman-football player who wears hijab. She had already joined the team for long time and finally in 2007 she was allowed to wear her hijab. For me at that time, it was a surprising yet beatifies knowing in the non-moslem country, Moslem had already allowed doing what they have to. Reading this article made me feel happier when I knew about the Moslem football players in England nowadays. Happier and also a little bit shame because sometimes I often complain about the weather in Indonesia that make fasting harder, but Moslem football player there, they’re not just fight in fasting with their body condition but also people who asked them not to do it.
ReplyDeleteAccording this article I can say freedom for Moslem in England especially for football player has improved greatly. I think globalization has an important role relate with this thing. We can feel now, not just for Moslem but also another religion, tolerance between one another has already improved comparing in the past. Maybe because of the globalization, people became know the reason about why other religion do this and don’t do this.
Though I watch a lot of football, I have never noticed these Muslim influences. As a atheist I have mixed feelings about this. I think everybody is free to have and practise a religion, but they have to keep in mind that they are now in a different country with different believes. As long as the religion is not holding you back in your performance, you have all the rights to practise your religion. Sometimes conflicts can occur when you don’t adapt your behaviour to the country you are in. For example in the Netherlands it is prohibited to wear a niqab in public. A niqab is a ‘dress’ that Muslim woman can wear that covers the whole face and body, you can’t even see the eyes. I totally agree with this law, because it absolutely does not fit in our culture and you cannot recognise the person.
ReplyDeleteSo I think you have to adapt yourself to a certain level in which everyone can live together without disturbing each other.
I am glad to know that Muslim players that has been recruited by English top club doesn’t forget their responsibility to their god, even if they are now famous and wealthy they doesn’t forget to thanks the god for their goal, and they also still remember the prohibition and rules in their belief. For me, football is a game for all, so everybody is allowed to become professional footballer, even if they are Muslims, Christian, Black, White, etc. they have the same right to become a footballer, and manager should understand their religion duty, it is very unusual if there is a person that is restricted to do their prayer, and for player if the prayer affect their performance they should do extra practice suppose their performance not affected. So if the managers and the players have the same understanding that will be no problem between them, and the club performance will not be affected.
ReplyDeleteMuslims are changing English football, I didn't think that Muslims changed anything significant in this sport, I was not aware of anything changing in the world of soccer. All I know was that there was a lot of fuss about how there are lots of Muslims players entering the world of English football and how they are really committed to their religion, how they still able to fast and play, how they managed to kept their prayer schedule, and how they stay away from the things that Islam forbids. I only knew that there are Muslim players in English football, and they mind their own business, and didn't make any changes whatsoever. So I was quite surprised when reading this article, it is mentioned that Muslims changed so much of English football tradition, something such as removing drinking champagne for celebration in exchange for small trophies just to respect the Muslim players, and how they are provided with halal food, they even got the special time to do their prayer, I was moved. I’m so glad that Muslim players made some changes, and as long as the changes are not a big bother to anyone, I guess it will be fine for the football clubs and even the other non-Muslim football players.
ReplyDeleteFootball or soccer in America is one my favourite sports, other than softball and badminton. I think it’s nice to know that Muslim football player still keep their faith and do their obligation while doing a hard physical work. I think that Muslim is definitely changing the face of Britain and all over European football and the Muslim football player is also increasing. I really appreciate that people tolerate Muslim player who were banned from drinking alcohol and have to fast in Ramadan, but I understand that the managers and maybe the clubs wouldn’t want their Muslim player to fast during Ramadan, because they might worried that it might affect the players performance on the field. I think for this problem I agree with Mamady Sidibe who says “you have some players who are fasting on a match day and doing very well, it’s no problem. I make sure that on match day I’m not fasting and give excuses to people.” this shows that it’s okay to fast, but if you think that it might affect your performance on the field, it’s better not to do it and pay for it another day.
ReplyDeleteI found this article is very interesting since I used to watch football. We know that Muslim is one of the biggest religion in the world, many of the population in the world are Muslims as well. In my opinion, I don’t think that Muslims are changing the English football culture. Since the Moslem players aren’t that many. Back to the Moslem as one of the biggest religion in the world, I’ve already aware about what other people think about Islam. Because usually Islam is related to terrorism or riot. But thankfully, the fans or even the football managers can slowly respect and didn’t think Islam in that way. They started to respect and gives toleration for the Moslem players, just like when they are fasting during Ramadhan, respect the Moslem players who didn’t drink alcohol during celebration, and give them a time to pray. I hope that by knowing there are Moslem football players in English football league team, many people will start to leave their old paradigm or prejudice about Moslem as terrorist religion and respect Islam.
ReplyDeleteWell now you could add a new big Muslim player, Mesut Ozil. Yes I agree that Muslims are more or less affects English Football. Like when Yaya Toure refused to accept his Champagne award because alcohol is forbidden in Islam. The competition organizers not angry to him, instead they change the champagne with a small trophy. Also, Demba Ba’s goal celebration affects the children in Newcastle. Manchester United’s player, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez once said that he admire Prophet Muhammad SAW, the biggest prophet in Islam. About the Ramadhan month, almost all Muslim players prefer to not fasting on the match day. But in the training session or free day, they keep fasting. For instance, Mesut Ozil, new Arsenal player said that on the match day he prefer not to fasting, but he keep reading Al-Quran every night, same as Samir Nasri. So I think Muslims are affects English Football although the change is not too significant.
ReplyDeleteBased on my previous readings, I have found Islam to be one of the largest and fastest spreading religions in the world. It is said to be second to Christianity, but then again there aren't as many requirements to become a christian. Moving on, since there is an abundance of Muslims in this world, one cannot avoid the fact that some of them may be gifted at playing soccer (or football in case any Brits are reading). For example players like Zidane, Ozil, Benzema, etc.
ReplyDeleteSome are just too talented to ignore solely because of a difference in religion. This has resulted in the growth of tolerance in foreign officials which are recruiting Muslim players. Years go by and the consistency in tolerance which was first given, has now grown into an understanding of how Muslims live their beliefs. Finally in this present, we witness a turn of events. Muslims aren't only being tolerated anymore they are now affecting football culture in various aspects.
(PS: I'm sorry if any part of my comments offend you guys, I really don't mean to discriminate anyone.)
I think football is starting to change world’s way toward muslim people. Muslim people used to be banned in England, but now? Even some big football teams have their own ‘muslim-key-player’. When somebody says that religion and career is two different things and cannot affect each other, I would say differently.
ReplyDeleteReligion is the way of our life, the way to behave, to think, and to react on things. We cannot separate our religion from our daily activity, because it defines who we really are. When it meets a professional career, people are no longer in a same religion, same culture, and race. We have to treat them equally, and they will treat us equally. When we talk about fasting in Ramadhan’s, doesn’t mean the football game will be stopped and continue in the next month because of it. The muslim player can simply choose to fasting or not to fasting. Or if it possible, the manager could assign other player than muslim to play.
“Premier League: How Muslims are changing English football culture.” The title of this article is very interesting. Personally, maybe the word ‘changing’ doesn’t appropriate enough to describe the condition related to many Muslims players in England Premier League, I prefer to replace ‘changing’ into ‘coloring.’ Because, the increasing of Muslim players are not give any significant influences, but only created slightly different nuances.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it doesn’t simple as we watch on TV, they still fasting and show their best performance during the match. Because, fasting doesn’t only about keep our mind off eating and drinking, but also as an implementation of self control. On the other hand, while playing they are not only required to play well but the most important is maintaining emotions and feelings such as anger, hatred, and egoistic. So, the players must be honest (I mean play without diving), fair play, and absolutely avoid themselves from played roughly. And all those things are not easy, then I’m glad to know they still able to do so.
It is said that England's top division now features 40 Muslim players, then it means Mesut Oziel will be the 41st Muslim player in EPL, after Madrid has sold him to Arsenal. Finally, we can learn from them about professionalism. It totally requires people who are highly talented and responsible, but religion never be a reason to lose their best performance.