A 'Muslim voice' in football: Premier League clubs endorse 'Muslim Athletes Charter'

A major paradigm shift in diversity and inclusion is currently taking place within the world of football in the midst of an action-packed summer. 

It began with remarkable UEFA Euro 2020 press conferences, as a number of high-profile athletes fiddled with endorsement products that traditionally line the dais.

Cristiano Ronaldo kicked off proceedings by removing a bottle of Coca-Cola as he sat to address the international media, joking, “Drink water" before taking questions. 

Soon thereafter, others took the Portuguese captain’s lead.

Manchester United and France midfielder, Paul Pogba, made no comment but did remove a bottle of Heineken from in front of him.

Speculation online led to believe that Pogba removed the beverage in respect of his Muslim faith, which would prohibit the endorsement of alcoholic drinks. 

 Several high-profile British clubs have also focused on accommodating Muslim footballers by deciding to sign a ground-breaking Muslim Athletes Charter

Information was later disseminated which confirmed that UEFA would exempt Muslim players from promoting alcoholic drinks. 

It was a major step, which was immediately implemented, as French striker Karim Benzema showed up to a press conference after a draw against Portugal with no Heineken bottles in front of him. 

Away from the spotlight of the Euros, several high-profile British clubs have also focused on accommodating Muslim footballers by deciding to sign a ground-breaking Muslim Athletes Charter, created by Nujum Sports.  

Ebadur Rahman, the CEO of the non-profit organisation founded in August 2020, insists that clubs and associations are growing more receptive. The charter outlines ten points that clubs and sporting associations can commit to, including consultation of faith-based needs, providing prayer spaces at club facilities, the possibility of alternative clothing, the non-consumption of alcohol and fasting during Ramadan. 

“The reaction from the clubs has been amazing, especially from (Premier League clubs) Watford and Brentford. I am still in talks with the Football Association to try and get them to adopt the charter, but even smaller clubs in places like Sweden are signing the charter, so it’s growing,” Rahman tells The New Arab. 

"We want the charter to be a positive step, not a negative one. Our intention isn’t to kill off betting or alcohol. There is a room for them to co-exist in football as long as they aren’t compelling Muslim footballers to promote their product"

“The charter was drawn up by myself along with some of the major Islamic scholars in the UK, such as Wasim Kempson and a few others. The 10 points are what you need to make sure you have the right environment for a Muslim in sport," he insists.

Historically, European football hasn’t been the most welcoming to practising Muslim footballers. 

Notable first-team managers such as Alan Pardew and Jose Mourinho have gone on the record criticising their own players for fasting during matches. 

Former players such as Sevilla striker Frederic Kanouté and Newcastle United striker Papiss Cissé were also scrutinised for refusing to wear their club kits which were sponsored by betting companies.

“We want the charter to be a positive step, not a negative one. Our intention isn’t to kill off betting or alcohol. There is room for them to co-exist in football as long as they aren’t compelling Muslim footballers to promote their product. It is very important for us as Muslims to follow our faith and that is compatible with Western culture,” he concludes.

Wassim Aouachria, a French-Algerian striker who currently plays for Charlton Athletic, and who has already received help from Nujum Sports, spoke to the importance of establishing such a charter. 

“The charter makes us feel like we have a voice in football. There are a lot of Muslim footballers but I never felt like we had togetherness. I think it’s a big step forward for Muslim athletes,” he tells The New Arab. 

“Thank God, I haven’t experienced discrimination in my career. I started at Marseille and there’s a lot of Muslim players and immigrants there, so it is really open-minded and I was all right. At Charlton, I always find a corner where I can pray and they are okay with that. In terms of fasting as well, the ref has been stopping play so players can break their fast. That happened to me 2-3 times when I was playing. Charlton also serves us halal chicken and meat, so they really put me in the best conditions to succeed," he explains.

While Nujum is extremely proud of the practising women athletes, such as Hawa Cissoko at West Ham United or Khadija Mellah, the United Kingdom’s first Hijabi jockey, in other European countries, Muslim women remain sidelined. 

In France, for example, the French Football Federation (FFF) has instituted a Hijab ban for all professional and amateur football, despite FIFA permitting religious clothing in international competition in 2014.

As a result, grassroots organisations have been forced to take the initiative and create their own spaces to play. 

“Les Hijabeuses” is a collective of more than 100 young women who congregate on a regular basis to play football and fight against the federation’s discriminatory ruling. 

Speaking to The Guardian, Founé Diawara of Les Hijabeueses said that she felt "trapped" between her passion for football and something that is a huge part of her identity. The FFF justifies its decision by citing its commitment to laïcité (French rigid secularism) and sports neutrality. 

What is certain is that as football heads into a new sporting year, football's governing bodies will have to continue tussling with notions of inclusiveness and diversity across the world. 

Maher Mezahi is an Algerian football journalist based in Algiers. He has covered North African football extensively, with his work published in international publications such as the BBC, The Guardian, The Telegraph, ESPN Africa and Al Jazeera English.

Follow him on Twitter: @MezahiMaher