The Football Association are to scrap the tradition of awarding a case of champagne to the FA Cup winners out of respect for players' religious beliefs.
English football's governing body have a long held tradition of placing a case of bubbly in the winning dressing room on cup final day as a congratulatory gesture to the victors.
But following internal discussions the FA are abandoning the idea so not to offend players whose religious beliefs forbid alcohol use.
The Muslim faith strictly prohibits alcohol, while it is not recommended in other religions. Some players are also tee-total and under the legal age to consume alcohol, further considerations for the FA.
Jubilant scenes of euphoric players spraying champagne around the winning dressing room following victory in the final have become the norm over the years.
But such scenes provide obvious difficulties for Muslim players, even if they do not consume the champagne.
The FA will instead put a case of an alcohol-free champagne substitute in the winning dressing room so players can replicate those spraying celebrations.
The FA's decision is not believed to have been the result of complaints from teams or players in the past but prompted within the organisation.
Sportsmail understands the FA had considered implementing the change sooner but were fully aware of being branded 'party-poopers'.
The governing body have done their utmost to tackle the issue of multi-race and multi-faith issues that have become so prevalent in football in recent months. This move underlines their commitment to that work.
Watford face Manchester City in this year's cup final on May 18. Watford midfielder Abdolulaye Doucoure, along with Manchester City stars Riyad Mahrez, Benjamin Mendy and Ilkay Gundogan follow Islamic faith.
The Premier League stopped providing alcoholic champagne as man of the match awards in 2012 after Muslim players refused to accept the bottles.
An FA spokesman said: 'Winning teams will be awarded with non-alcoholic 'champagne' for their celebrations in all FA competitions, starting from this year's Emirates FA Cup Final.
'This is to ensure that we are as inclusive as possible to players and communities who may be prohibited from alcohol, as well as any players who are under 18.'
Lotcelmoty
1
they don't drink alcohol but they kill like no man business ryte? religion my foot
29356899(deleted)
0
What's next, vegan only meals at the stadiums.
True. Where will this madness end.
lakclmsyz
0
What's next, vegan only meals at the stadiums.
You're a big clown 🤡 😂
mimcdelmru
2
Good idea
loaklnop
1
PC gone mad
AlgerianGriezmann8
4
Hey the FA actually did something good for once. Props to them
Yeybceikmo
1
hi I am a fan of Ronaldo... Just kidding
abdifatahderossi
2
respect bro if u want to drink it go to the bar
JMunene
0
If it was held in Tehran it would be fair enough. It's not though, is it.
London is the new Tehran.
neuaekptz
0
Salaam's to All Brothers n Sisters in all Walks of Life.With due Respect.Before making Irrational comment on the F A decision to scrap Alcohol after Cup Victory,Please kindly understand that circumstance.How about the runners Up.I think its Morals Vs Morons.Congrats F A for taking the Bold Move.
jobcekortu
0
Maybe they should be given Heineken 0% alcohol free
Hazazi_92
0
But pedophaelia, rape and incest is okay in their faith.
Rape and incest is ok? in islam?
Hazazi_92
0
So it's the needs of the few vs the needs of the many. Madness!
They did what they have to coz There is muslim players and They must respect therir religion
SINGAM23
7
but, Churchill said otherwise... 🍾
Lanpandra
0
I'm a tee total Christian and I think this is silly, but I don't think this has anything to do with respect for Christian players.
Nothing what so ever
FCBneuer
0
How about you do not drink if you do not want to.
This is utterly obscured. The current 'tradition' is absolutely perfect and actually caters for everyone as in; if you would like some, it's over there. If you don't, that's fine, you don't have to drink it. It's just there for anyone who does fancy it. It literally suits everyone whether they're teetotal, occasional drinkers or flat out alcoholics. If you want some; it's there. If not; absolutely fine. This new rule is actually excluding some players, which is something that the FA want to avoid at all costs. How the hell can anyone with a sane thinking mind think this is actually the best way to go that won't upset anyone?
Jessieluse
2
This is not fair at all. How about respecting everyone and so make both champagne and orange/lemon jiuce(or whaever) available to all???
Rtakiss
5
What's next, vegan only meals at the stadiums.
Parker09
2
This is ridiculous. The champagne has always been there. What next? No alcohol or meat pies being sold????
Grammer
1
May as well close shop, it's over. English traditions mean nothing to the powers that be anymore.
dynamics
1
What about the respect for players who want to drink it to celebrate? What about the respect to traditions in this country?
Vikram95
0
if u want to respect the religions of others how about trying to tackle racism first before attending such minor issues
Missouri
0
If it was held in Tehran it would be fair enough. It's not though, is it.
Mudineao
3
Wrong wrong wrong Don't drink it it if you dont want to!
Starkkan
0
This is not fair at all. How about respecting everyone and so make both champagne and orange/lemon juice (or whatever) available to all???
Barnhart
1
It's a BRITISH TRADITION... if you don't drink...don't drink it. Simple..
Ludicrou
0
So it's the needs of the few vs the needs of the many. Madness!
Ascis
0
Can't we just have a homeland where we can be ourselves, as we have always been.
Ocioso
0
Absolutely pathetic.. Whoever was instrumental in making this decision, is spineless..
Romeojin
0
I assume the same will apply to motor racing and every other sport! This is a step too far. What happened to self will and abstention!
Elizabethse
0
So religion is going to rule our way of living !! Do they charge less because of our compromise?
Moccame
0
What joke! ! Why change our systems because of others They do not have to drink it The FA need to get a grip !!!!
ballstars
0
This change is also symptomatic of the declining importance of the FA Cup as a competition, relative to the Premier League.
lifetime
0
In this country alcohol is lawful and it is left to the individual to choose whether to drink or not. In fact it is part of our culture to celebrate with alcohol specifically champagne why are we now changing
iunderstand
0
Shouldn't it be up to the winning team to decide what they wish to do?
kitchen
0
I'm a tee total Christian and I think this is silly, but I don't think this has anything to do with respect for Christian players.
pololove
0
How about you do not drink if you do not want to.
Nobcdiklnt
0
But pedophaelia, rape and incest is okay in their faith.
Nobcdiklnt
2
Leave it to them to ruin everyone else’s fun and traditions. There’s two decent players of that faith. That’s it. Let’s accommodate for less than a decimal point of a percentage of players in top league football. Ridiculous.
Tumcdkmou
1
I’m sorry, but all of u in agreement, pleAse post how many Muslims on each of the main football leagues title holders from this season. All r pretty much decided except the premier league. Maybe another. How many Muslims from Barca, p.s.g, Bayern, Dortmund, Liverpool, man city, benfica, porto. I’m sure it’s predominantly Muslim????
Tumcdkmou
2
Yeah, nice gesture. But why do we need to change pasttimes to accommodate certain groups??? How bout we provide both sparkling cider, and real champagne????? Cuz if I’m not a Muslim, and I worked my ass off my entire life, trying to win a title, why should I not be able to celebrate the same way as thousands of men before me???????? Nooone said they had to drink the damm alcohol! What a joke! Sorry, but screw all of u that think everyone should suffer, for a chosen few. They’re big boys! If they don’t want to drink the alcohol, they won’t! But damm!!! If I busted my ass from childhood, to adulthood, and was lucky enough to be in a position to win a title in a major league. I should be able to toast with whatever I want to! Oh, yeah!! I can’t enjoy myself after working my balls off for 20+ years to win a major trophy! It may offend a Muslim or someone else! What a joke! Grown men can’t make a choice for themselves! It just needs to not be an option at all! WhAt a crying shame!im gonna go throw the fuck up now!!
FirasFaiz
1
Yes there are plenty of justification and reasoning (other than religous reasons) given by FA and the decision is inline with most religous teaching too. At the end the religion teaching had antipated the matter.
wiuklostz
0
They finally found their brain!!
Grazor1
0
But Mendy was in Dubai last 3 weeks ago, drinking alcohol with hush puppy and woodie berry 😀😀
losdilmnu
0
Not a bad gesture, but I also think it shouldn't happen due to the players that don't follow said religion. Keep it equal you know, yes respecting religion is ok but not everyone follows said religion, if anything it's down yo the players knowing their teammates and knowing their religion doesn't allow such things that must happen. If you don't want the champagne, speak with your mates about it, because not all of them share the same religion.
Winksy31
0
Makes sense tbh but we all know each player will be popping champagne behind closed doors [Crylaugh]
tetabikmp
1
Disgusting
Naoblps
2
at first I was confused to why but I agree with this decision and respect the FA for it
Sanoeabum
1
nice gesture
Vatekmu
1
both of them are Gunner coach,so let us respect them... nice one