Ramadan team kicked out of cup

A junior football team was kicked out of a cup, docked nine points and fined £75 for failing to play during the Muslim festival of Ramadan.

Abraham Moss Warriors under-12s wanted games rearranged because half the team were fasting during daylight hours.

But the Bury and Radcliffe Juniors League, backed by the Lancashire FA, refused and punished the team when they did not play their games.

Muslims make up half of the 16-strong squad, from Cheetham Hill, Manchester.

It is not sensible to expect a child to play football and not have a drink after the game June Kelly, team manager

Team manager, June Kelly, had applied to have the kick-off times changed from the morning to the afternoon.

That would have meant the youngsters being able to have a drink immediately after the game, rather than having to wait several hours until nightfall.

She said: "It's not sensible to expect a child to play football and not have a drink after the game.

"The children are really upset. If we had played without the Muslim children they would have felt bad."

She said the decision sent out the wrong messages to Muslim youngsters.

"We work very hard to break down barriers so children can play together but then this happens," said Ms Kelly.

'League rules'

But league secretary Judith Jones said: "If we cancelled games for everyone who asked we would never finish the season.

"The rules in the league handbook have nothing to do with religion.

"If Christian boys want to play on a Sunday morning they can, but if they want to go to church that is their choice."

She added that the team could have played its matches with seven players.

The case has been referred to the Football Association's Equity and Ethics Committee in London.

The FA said its Ethics and Sports Equity Department was looking at the situation, and would be contacting the County FA and the club by the end of the week.