Papiss Cisse refuses to wear “haraam” Newcastle kit

Papiss Cisse refuses to wear the new Newcastle shirt

Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse has refused to wear the team’s new kit which bears the logo of Wonga.com.

The Senegalese Muslim’s refusal to wear the new kit adds to the controversy surrounding Newcastle’s new sponsor. Cisse is a practicing Muslim and has protested to club officials on religious and ethical grounds about the pay-day loan company’s deal.

According to Shariah law, Muslims cannot financially benefit from lending or receiving money from another person – the Islamic prohibition of interest. Interest is not paid or taken on Islamic bank accounts or added to Shariah compliant mortgages.

Cisse’s team mates, Cheick Tiote and Hatem Ben Arfa, who are also practicing Muslims, may also refuse to wear the new kit.

Compromise

Newcastle are currently in the process of working out a compromise with Cisse. A similar scenario has occurred previously that may offer a solution like the stance of former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United striker Freddie Kanoute.

The Malian Muslim refused to wear the logo of gambling website 888.com on his Seville shirt a few years ago. Alternatively, Kanoute wore an unbranded top in La Liga matches, although he agreed to wear the logo during training sessions.

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Kanoute later agreed to wear the shirt in exchange for being exempt from any of the promotional activities the sponsorship involved.

Fan’s outrage over Wonga

Wonga’s four-year deal takes over from Virgin Money at the start of next season and has already attracted heavy criticism from fans for the huge interest charged on its 30-day loans.

If a Newcastle fan accepted a loan to buy a Newcastle shirt for £50, they would have to repay £71.92 after a month with a rate equivalent to 4,212 per cent a year.

Bolton Wanderers reversed their decision this week to sign a sponsorship deal with QuickQuid after the agreement was met with outrage from fans.

Similar trend

Meanwhile, South African cricketer Hashim Amla pays 500 dollars to the South African Cricket Board because he refuses to wear the bear company “Castle Lager” logo on his shirt. As a Muslim he does not want to promote or make money from alcohol.

Mr Amla does not receive any money from the SACBOC as match fees since its contract began with the leading bear company Castle Lager in 2012.

The practising Muslim from South Africa also turned down a million dollar Indian Premier League (IPL) contract due to the inappropriate dress code of cheer leaders, dancers and alcohol sponsors. Mr Amla is the only Muslim cricketer that has openly refused to participate in the lucrative IPL due to Islamic prohibitions.

 

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