Indonesia
Moslem Players at 2014 World Cup
For the very first time since 1986, the grand event 2014 World Cup is overlapping with the holy month Ramadan. There are dozens of moslem players in this World Cup. FIFA as the event organizer lets players to make their personal decision on this. Algeria, Belgium, Nigeria, German, France and Swistzerland are teams that make it into the big 16 with moslem players in the squad.
Algeria is the only representative from Africa in elimination phase. Most of the officials and players are moslem. Just name them, Cedric Si Mohamed, Rais Mbohi, Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche, Essaid Belkalem, Madjid Boughera, Faozi Ghoulam, Rafik Halliche, Aissa Mandi, Djemal Mesbah and many more. These guys agree not to cancel fasting just for the big once in five years event. Cool!
Belgium is another team with moslem star players, although not as many, only four; Adnan Januzaj, Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembele and Maroune Fellaini. These players come up with different decision. Fasting or not during the Brazilian World Cup is up to their own call. The same decision with Nigerian. Their star players Ahmed Musa dan Ramon Azeez are free to decide on this.
And what about moslem of European team, Superkids? German and France officials don’t present them with special rules of whether their players should keep fasting or not. Just like most teams, they allow players to measure their own physical durability; can or can’t they keep up with the fasting during exercise and matches? If they can, go ahead and if not, don’t. Mesut Ozil of Germany has announced his decision. He will postphone the fasting while struggling to take the World Cup trophy back to his country. His team mates, Sami Khedira and Shkodran Mustafi chose to keep their decision for their self.
From France, three players determine to keep on Ramadan fasting while one other does not. Actually official of France doesn’t have any special rules on this. However, Mamadou Sakho, Moussa Sissoko and Karim Benzema are firm with their decision to keep on fasting as usual, although Bacary Sagna chose the alternative not fasting and compensate later. What does the coach have to say? “I can’t do anything but to respect players’ personal decision. I am confident that moslem players who are fasting can adapt well,” Didier Deschamps optimist like quoted by Goal.com.
Quite different with Switzerland, the official is strict to forbid the players from fasting during their quest in World Cup 2014. Swiss is the European team with most moslem players, Superkids. Just name them Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami, Philippe Senderos, Blerim Dzemaili, Gokhan Inler, Damir Mehmedi, Haris Seferovic, and Xherdan Shaqiri. Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld confirms, he forbids the players to fast to win this event.
FIFA has solid ground for the policy if letting players to do as they wish. “We have conducted intensive research regarding to Ramadhan. The result, when treated carefully, players can adapt quite easily. Nutrient expert of each team must have special program to prevent their players from become dehydrated, keeping their perform well during the match. Said Michel D’Hooghe, Chairman of Medical Committee FIFA.
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: GOAL
