Fasting up to players, says Algerian coach
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) : Algeria's players were left to decide whether or not they would observe the Ramadan fast during Monday's World Cup game against Germany, with coach Vahid Halilhodzic saying it's not a divisive issue.
Observant Muslims avoid food and liquids from dawn to dusk during Ramadan but can, and often do, skip it if travelling or doing hard physical labor. Some devout Muslim athletes choose to fast during training or competition, but it can create selection difficulties for the coaches in team sports.