The FFF are apparently restricting players from observing Ramadan through fasting while they are in national team camps. Already had one Muslim youth player leave in response. Restricting the expression of personal religious beliefs by players is certainly a choice.

https://time.com/6959545/france-football-federation-ramadan-fasting-rules-muslims-soccer/

Considering they also ban headscarves, the only surprising part of this is that it took them this long to do it.

Hakeem Olajuwon had some of his best games while observing the fasting during Ramadan.

What are they gonna do? Are they going to force feed pork to les musulmans?

How can you ban them from Fasting during the holiday?

They won't allow them to participate in team practices or other activities if they don't eat with the team.

Mathguy64 said:

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Hakeem Olajuwon had some of his best games while observing the fasting during Ramadan.

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Salah has scored a few CL goals during fasting.

jeffk said:

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They won't allow them to participate in team practices or other activities if they don't eat with the team.

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Isn't there an old saying that you can take a Muslim to team meals but you can't make them eat?

Wild reaction to losing to Germany on Saturday I guess. It won't go over well either. France has a massive Muslim population now.

More of a continuation of anti-Muslim policies by the French govt and the FFF. The article lays out some of the longer history, but this isn't a knee-jerk decision based on a single game result.

I'm somewhat surprised and yet not. There are places in France where you straight up do not go if you aren't Muslim. The French are basically losing their country because of the growth rate.

The real issue is water intake not food.

I wonder if IV fluids would be a viable middle ground. Not sure of the religious implications though

jeffk said:

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More of a continuation of anti-Muslim policies by the French govt and the FFF. The article lays out some of the longer history, but this isn't a knee-jerk decision based on a single game result.

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It is not a knee-jerk decision. In fact, the decision is part of the French legal principle, laicite, as cited in the opening paragraph of the linked article, which is intended to maintain strict secularism. Now, because its Muslims getting butt-hurt over the issue, the narrative becomes that this is anti-Muslim, which is false. It is pro-secularism, not anti-Muslim. HTH

jeffk said:

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They won't allow them to participate in team practices or other activities if they don't eat with the team.

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This is ridiculous.

It's almost as ridiculous as "please don't eat or drink water in front of me, I'm fasting."

People are grown adults. They should be allowed to make a personal decision as long as it's not harmful to someone else. If a player wants to fast, he should fast. If it affects his performance, then he'll sit the bench. This seems a bit far from the FFF, imo.