Euro 2020 Officials Will No Longer Place Heineken Bottles In Front Of Muslim Players

 

Euro 2020 officials will no longer place bottles of Heineken in front of Muslim players after Paul Pogba chose to remove them.

The France midfielder is a devout Muslim and moved a non-alcoholic bottle in front of him while conducting a post-match interview last week.

Per the Telegraph, managers and players will now be given an option to object to having the beer in front of them on religious grounds.

Pogba’s stance came just days after Cristiano Ronaldo moved bottles of Coca-Cola prior to Portugal’s game with Hungary.

First Ronaldo with the Coca-Cola…

Now Paul Pogba wasn’t happy with the Heineken in front of him at his press conference 🍺❌ #betwinner pic.twitter.com/eOHbpTrPwP

— Betwinner Türkiye (@betwinnerua) June 16, 2021

Ronaldo told those in attendance to drink water instead and looked at the fizzy drink with disdain.

UEFA have stressed there is a difference between removing alcohol based on religious grounds and removing products based on lifestyle and fitness, with players potentially being issued fines if it continues.

Pogba received praise for his performance in Manchester United’s 6-2 win over Roma back in April, while fasting during Ramadan.

The 28-year-old has discussed his faith on numerous occasions and how it has made him into a better person.

When asked about being a Muslim back in 2019, he told The Times: “It’s everything. That’s what makes me thankful for everything. 

“It made me change, realise things in life. I guess, maybe, it makes me more peaceful inside. It was a good change in my life because I wasn’t born a Muslim, even if my mum was. I just grew up like that, respect for everyone.

“Islam is not the image that everyone sees – terrorism… What we hear in the media is really something else. (Islam is) something beautiful.

“You get to know it. Anybody can find that he feels connected with Islam.”

Pogba’s international teammate, Karim Benzema, is also a Muslim and noticeably had no Heineken in front of him following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Portugal.

Featured Image Credit: UEFA