Mohamed Salah’s injury is God’s punishment for breaking Ramadan fast, claims Islamic preacher
Mohamed Salah’s injury in the Champions League final was punishment from God for breaking his Ramadan fast, an Islamic preacher has claimed.
Kuwaiti preacher Mubarak al-Bathali has said that Salah sinned by breaking his fast for the match. He said that the journey from Britain to Ukraine was “not a legitimate excuse” to break the fast.
Muslims are allowed to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan if they are travelling.
“God punished him,” Al-Bathali wrote on Twitter, according to British media reports.
Salah was forced out of Champions League final last Saturday just 30 minutes into the game after a tussle with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
He left the field in tears amid serious doubts about his chances of playing for Egypt at their first World Cup since 1990.
Salah had initially said that he was going to continue fasting in the build-up to the Champions League final. However, a club physiotherapist later confirmed that Salah would not be keeping the fast for two days before the final.
Meanwhile, Egypt are hopeful that Salah will recover from his shoulder injury in three weeks which would allow him to play in their final group game at the World Cup in Russia.
“The (Egyptian) football association confirms once again … Salah will be in the World Cup, God willing, and won’t be absent for more than three weeks,” it said on Twitter without giving further details.
Egypt begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 15, before facing hosts Russia on June 19 and Saudi Arabia on June 25.
On Sunday, Salah posted a message saying: “It was a very tough night, but I’m a fighter. Despite the odds, I’m confident that I’ll be in Russia to make you all proud. Your love and support will give me the strength I need.”
Egypt reached the tournament after Salah scored a 95th- minute penalty to help them beat Congo 2-1 in October.
Earlier on Wednesday, Liverpool physiotherapist Ruben Pons was quoted by the Spanish sports paper Marca as saying that Salah would be out for up to four weeks.
“He is sad about what happened but is totally focused on recovery, seeing when he can be ready,” he said.
“In principle it will be between three and four weeks but we will try to reduce those dates, that’s the big goal,” Pons added.
