FIFA introduces alcohol-free Player of Match trophy for muslim players

USA – FIFA has introduced a significant change to the Player of the Match trophy presented to Muslim players at the FIFA World Cup.

The group stage of the world’s biggest football tournament has concluded and FIFA has been awarding the Player of the Match trophy to the standout performer in every game. Several Muslim footballers have earned the award so far.

However, FIFA has made a notable adjustment for Muslim recipients.

The standard Player of the Match trophy presented to non-Muslim players features the logo of the tournament’s alcohol sponsor. In contrast, Muslim players are now being presented with a special version of the trophy and backdrop without any alcohol branding.

According to international media reports, the change became noticeable when Morocco’s Ismael Saibari received the Player of the Match award after scoring the tournament’s fastest opening goal against Scotland.

During the award ceremony, the trophy presented to him did not display the beer sponsor’s branding, with the space left completely plain.

Reports also state that other Muslim players who have won the award in the tournament including Egypt’s Emam Ashour, Jordan’s Ali Olwan, Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian, Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada and Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande were also presented with the unbranded version of the trophy.

A FIFA spokesperson said that an unbranded trophy and backdrop are provided upon the selected player’s request. The same policy also applies to players who are below the legal drinking age.

It is worth recalling that during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy declined to accept a Player of the Match award associated with an alcohol sponsor.