Ramadan coincides with the World Cup… but there’s no problem
The last time Ramadan and the World Cup clashed was in 1986. The World Cup and Ramadan fought last in 1986.
Before Brazil 2014, Muslims fasted in their club competitions with little or no effect. Sonny Bill Williams and Hazem El Masri are Australian rugby league players who have fasted for an NRL season. Bachar Huli is an Aussie Rules player.
Hakeem Olajuwon, the NBA’s greatest player, had his stats improve during Ramadan. Kolo Toure , a Liverpool and Cote d’Ivoire defender, says that his body adapts to fasting after the first couple of days.
There are several Muslims playing in World Cup teams that have reached the knockout stage this year. These include at least five players in France, seven in Switzerland’s diverse team, two in Nigeria, three in Belgium, two to three in Germany, and the majority of the Algerian squad.
Some Algerian players, who will face Germany today, have been fasting during daylight since Saturday. EPA/Mohamed Messara
The World Cup clashing with Ramadan is unlikely to cause any problems this year. There is a consensus among Muslim scholars that those who are traveling, the sick, children under the age of 12, and the elderly are all exempted from fasting.
Many players have said they will continue to fast and not try to make up for the days missed after Ramadan, as those who claim the travel exemption are required to do.
Algerian captain Madjid Bougherra has played for several European clubs while fasting. The French National Team’s right back Bacary Sgna plays for Manchester City and says that he will fast. He cites the experience of other players who have done so in European leagues.
Bacary Sagna (right), a ball-thrower. Kerim Okten/EPA
FIFA discovered that there is an increasing body of research on the coping strategies Muslim athletes can use to continue their fasting.
Ramadan affects not only the eating and drinking habits of a Muslim who is fasting (he or she will have no food during daylight hours), but also their sleeping patterns.
A listicle that was widely shared in the days leading up to Ramadan recommends that Muslims, and not just those who are professional athletes, consume a meal before dawn consisting of food which releases energy slowly during the day.
Hazem El Masri during a training session. Paul Miller/AAP Image
Imagine how a change in sleep patterns or the timing of eating and drinking could affect a professional athlete’s training regime. According to some studies, Muslim athletes have increased fatigue as well as a decrease in speed and agility.
Other state that the performance of athletes is not affected by Ramadan fasting, as long as regular exercise continues and the same amount (of nutrients) is consumed at night.
Finaly, there is no central authority in the Muslim world that everyone follows.
Fasting and sport are a complex issue. Some religious figures, who are looked up to by players, say that they do not have to fast if they’re not travelling. They can compensate later for the fast.
The issue of fasting exemptions is hotly discussed , and it will likely continue to be debated at the 2018 World Cup, which takes place in Russia from June 8 to August 8, in a time when Ramadan should last until the beginning of the tournament.
The travelling exemption will cover the players if Ramadan falls on the same day as the World Cup this year.
Researchers are now able, if you don’t wish to claim the exemption but still want to fast, to provide new insights into the adaptation of the body to fasting and maintain physical performance.
