The winners of next month’s FA Cup final between Manchester City and Watford will be served non-alcoholic champagne for celebrations to accommodate those who do not drink, Sport 24 reported.
“Winning teams will be awarded non-alcoholic ‘champagne’ for their celebrations in all FA competitions, starting from this year’s FA Cup Final,” read a statement cited by Sky Sports.
“This is to ensure that we are as inclusive as possible to players and communities who may be prohibited from alcohol, as well as any players who are under 18.”
Islam takes an uncompromising stand in prohibiting intoxicants. It forbids Muslims from drinking or even selling alcohol.
The general rule in Islam is that any beverage that gets people intoxicated when taken is unlawful, both in small and large quantities, whether it is alcohol, drugs, fermented raisin drink or something else.
Alcoholic awards have been quashed in the Premier League by Muslim stars.
In 2012, Yaya Toure turned down the traditional post-match bottle of bubbly, saying: “I don’t drink because I am a Muslim, so you keep it.”
Meanwhile, a hatful of stars including Mesut Ozil and Paul Pogba are also Muslim and unlikely to accept the massive bottle of beer in Russia.
In June 2018, Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy refused his Man of the Match award, following his incredible display against Uruguay, as the award was sponsored by beer maker Budweiser.
