(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Mohamed Elshenawy, the Egyptian goalkeeper in the FIFA World Cup 2018, has declined a trophy sponsored by Budweiser (American Beer producer) for religious reasons.
An Egypt team official has confirmed goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy declined to receive a player of the match trophy at the World Cup for religious reasons.
The trophy, an artistic red goblet, is sponsored by Budweiser. Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol.
The 29-year-old Elshenawy won the award following his impressive performance in the 1-0 loss to Uruguay on Friday. He made a string of stunning saves before Uruguay clinched the win with a goal in the 89th minute.
Images of Elshenawy gesturing what appears to be a rejection of the trophy held by a young Budweiser representative in the stadium’s tunnel appeared on social and mainstream media. Budweiser is among FIFA’s top sponsors.
Egypt are among seven Muslim-majority nations represented in Russia along with Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iran, Tunisia, Senegal and Nigeria.
Other star names at the World Cup are also Muslims including France's Paul Pogba, Germany's Mesut Ozil and El-Shenawy's Egypt team-mate Mohamed Salah.
Egypt are next in action against Russia on Tuesday before a meeting with Saudi Arabia to round off their Group A campaign on June 25.
Egypt is playing at the World Cup for the first time since 1990.
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source : World Bulletin
Monday
18 June 2018
9:16:50 AM
898004
Egypt's Mohamed El-Shenawy chose to reject his man-of-the-match award following the World Cup Group A opener against Uruguay due to it being sponsored by Budweiser.