Photo: Cutting The Ribbon

October 26th, 2008 | by: chris |

Palestinian players pray before their first ever home game, a friendly against Jordan that ended in a 1-1 draw. (Ahmad Gharaaldi/AFP/Getty Images)

adnan

about time.
M. Zurawski

Not intending to be disrespectful or anything, but i wasn’t aware that FIFA encouraged incorporating open religious displays on the pitch. And considering that Mr. Blatter was present, i assume that he had no issue with it. I ask simply because there are players throughout Europe who receive reprimands/fines for religious displays i.e. Boruc v Rangers.
http://www.mcalcio.com Marco Pantanella

I think this was a case very much out of the ordinary M.
Benj

I’m confused as to why they are praying in a circle. This isn’t Mecca…
adnan

well i can explain, they arent really praying, they are just prostrating really quick and saying a quick “praise be to allah”. if you watch cricket, many of the muslim players do the same thing when they score a century…or when pakistan won the world cup in 1992 pretty much the whole team did that.

and as far as religous display, it wouldnt be any different to a player crossing himself whlle running onto the pitch. it isnt meant to rile up fans and cause things to get out of hand. if say this was directed at someone, which it wouldnt be since its just a silent prayer to ones self, then wed have something to worry about.

peace be with you
http://celtic.theoffside.com Matt

Magic-It wasn’t FIFA who wanted to punish Boruc for crossing himself or his t-shirt, it was the SFA and Strathclyde Police who were looking to punish him. If those bodies are corrupt, well that is another debate….