The national team players are committed to fasting Despite Morocco\'s religious council allowing the country\'s athletes not to fast during Ramadan while the Olympic Games were on in London, the Moroccan Olympic football team are reportedly divided over the issue as they are set to face India, Japan, and Spain.
Sources told Arabstoday: \"The national team players are committed to fasting, attending all normal daily training exercises but they don’t know if they will be able to continue fasting or not during the first match with the Indian team on Thursday at the opening of the Olympic games ceremony...professionals who play in Europe won\'t fast though.\"
\"The team\'s coach is not getting involved in religious issues and has left it up to them...however he is concerned about their performance if they do fast,\" added a source.
Other Arab countries who have allowed their players to not fast this year include Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, based on a Qu\'ranic verse that says \"If you are ill or on a journey, you are allowed to not fast\".
A member of a Saudi senior scientific council, Dr Ali el-Hakimi said: \"Many imams allow Iftaar (breaking the fast) between prayers while travelling...players and there companions are allowed not to fast even if their residence abroad exceeds a month\"
Morocco\'s Olympic football team has arrived at Glasgow and will face India in their maiden match.