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Mourinho angers Muslims over Ramadan slur
The Inter Milan manager claimed Sulley Muntari was playing below par due to his religious fasting
Jose Mourinho famously describes himself the 'Special One' but even he may have bitten off more than he can chew after apparently taking on the Islamic faith and criticising one of his players for observing Ramadan.
The Inter Milan manager substituted Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari midway through the first half of his team's match against Bari and then angered Muslims by claiming the player's performance had been below par because he had been fasting in accordance with his religious beliefs.
Mourinho said: "Muntari had some problems related to Ramadan - perhaps with this heat it's not good for him to be doing this [fasting]. Ramadan has not arrived at the ideal moment for a player to play a football match."
During the holy month of Ramadan, which began this year on August 22, Muslims must fast between dawn and sunset. The requirement, observed by Muntari (pictured left, with Mourinho on joining Inter Milan in 2008), meant he was unable to take on liquids during the match - which ended in a lacklustre 1-1 draw.
Mourinho's post-match comments drew criticism from religious leaders in Italy. Mohamed Nour Dachan, head of the Union for the Communities and Organisations of Islam in Italy (UCOII), slammed the Inter coach. "I think Mourinho could do with talking a little less," he said. "A player who practices Islam does not perform less on the pitch."
Dachan said that the discipline of religion offered a "mental and psychological stability can give a sportsman an extra edge on the field... A player who is Christian, Hebrew or Muslim will have a tranquil mind and will always perform better on the pitch."
However, nutritionists say hydration is a major issue in sports and can affect aerobic capacity, strength and power. And another Muslim player in Italy, Algerian Abdelkader Ghezzal, who scored for Siena at the weekend, revealed he breaks his fast on game days. "I observe the fast during my days off, when there are no games or training," said the Algerian. ·
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It is sad that Mourinho chooses to blame his sides draw on one player who happens to be fasting. It is a sign of an ignorant person. He was substituted in the first half. Mourinho had 10 or eleven players on the pitch that was not fasting yet Inter drew with Bari. His excuse for Inter's poor performance or failure to win is blamed on one person. I never ever knew that one man makes a team without him performing well the team will not win. It is sad that Mourinho chose to bring religion into the picture for his teams draw with Bari. I am sure that Sulley Muntari even when not fasting did not perform to his best at times. Keep religion out of football please.
Is Islam the world's most intolerant religion?
Poor Mourinho - I can just imagine effigies of him are being prepared for burning around the globe.
Everybody knows that when playing at elite level, you need to take on fluids, otherwise you seriously risk damaging your performance and recovery levels. It is not exactly the most contentious statement to be pilloried for.
I am not entirely convinced that by being a 'Christian, Hebrew or Muslim' gives a player an extra edge. I am a Christian and I was rubbish on the pitch!!!
Offence is now a synonym for any mention of Islam by the 'Kufar'. Sebastian Faulks is 'bored' by the Koran and has to apologise. Given how the Faithful react to works of fiction and cartoons, dozens killed around the world, Mr Mourinho would do well to join the author in grovelling, and quickly.
Mourinho is an idiot to hire players when he knows there will be times when their ability to play will be sub par.