French Football Federation has been facing strong criticisms after their announcement about Muslim players, who, it said, will not be allowed a break to break their Ramadan fast at the sunset during matches.**

The announcement came in through a leaked email to the players including Ibrahima Konate and Paul Pogba, informing them that there will be no delays or postponing of the tournament during the Holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement being conveyed to Federal Commission of Referees (CFA), French Football Federation said that interruptions do not respect the provisions of the Statutes of the FFF’s and are therefore forbidden.

The statement added that the federation supports neutrality among all players. This is the reason they have forbidden the wearing of headscarves as well it said.

According to the reports of Le Parisien, FFF’s decision is based on its article 1.1 and code of ethics and deontology to ban all acts that will intervene with their principles of neutrality and tantamount to an act of proselytizing or propaganda.

Muslim players had apparently been asked to postpone their adherence to fasting practice during the five days of selection leading up to the EURO 2024 qualifier games against Netherlands on the 24th March and Ireland on March 27th.

This controversial statement of FFF serves as complete contrast to what Premier League has announced for its Muslim players.

The latter has issued guidelines for its players, allowing them to break their fast during the game.

Players like Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante, who are also practicing Muslims, are allowed to break their Fasts at the time of sunset.

The officials of Premier League have been given the task to identify players and to make adequate arrangements for them.

Players like Lucas Digne, Aston Villa among others have criticized French Football Federation saying it was behind the times and living in the past.