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FIFA to provide alcohol-free Player of the Match award to Muslim players in 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see a major change in the awarding of its Player of the Match award with some players able to be presented with the prize without alcohol branding on it due to their religious views and cultural sensitivity.
The new policy will see athletes who ask for the accomodation receiving a unique unbranded trophy and a neutral backdrop which will not include beer sponsorship logos which normally appear during the award ceremony.
The adjustment came under the limelight after Morocco’s Ismael Saibari was selected Player of the Match for scoring the tournament’s fastest first goal against Scotland.
The presentation was made with FIFA World Cup logo instead of the typical beer sponsor branding, opting for a neutral “Superior Player of the Match” look.
The identical unbranded prize presentation has reportedly been handed to Egypt’s Emam Ashour, Jordan’s Ali Olwan, Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian, Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada and Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande.
A FIFA spokesperson indicated they may supply an unbranded award and backdrop at the request of the athlete selected.
The policy also applies to players who are under the legal drinking age.
This happened after a similar incident at the 2018 FIFA World Cup when Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy drew international attention for refusing to participate in promotional activities associated with the alcohol sponsor of the tournament after being named Player of the Match.
The Punjab government has decided to celebrate Basant next year with the traditional kite-flying event being held in February instead of January.
In this regard, Punjab Home Department and the district administration have prepared a draft plan for Basant in Lahore next year.
The festival has been rescheduled to February and the final date will be revealed after the consent of the provincial government, sources added.
Preparations will be mindful of last year’s experience and preparations. Permission for kite, string and other associated manufacturing operations is also likely to be given soon while laws and regulations governing kite flying will be completed before the festival.
Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani called Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar last nite.
Foreign Minister Al Zayani thanked DPM Dar on signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. He also said he would visit Pakistan soon.
Dar appreciated Dr. Al Zayani’s interest to visit Pakistan and thanked him for his good sentiments.
He emphasised Pakistan’s strong commitment to promote dialogue and diplomacy to achieve peace and stability in the region and beyond.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he will demand that Iran pay compensation for “all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded,” in response to Iran seeking compensation for the damages it has incurred from US and Israeli attacks.
Trump’s social media post came after Iran said over the weekend it was nearing a deal with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the US must meet conditions including compensation and an end to sanctions and military threats, before the strategic waterway is reopened.
“It is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump also referenced and claimed compensation from Iran for the October 2000 deadly bombing of the US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Cole at a Yemeni port.
The FBI has attributed that bombing, which killed 17 sailors and wounded more than three dozen others, to al Qaeda.
Trump added that Tehran should also pay compensation to the families of the thousands of people during anti-government protests in January, Iran’s worst domestic unrest since the era of its 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Rights groups say the Iranian government has continued to crack down on opponents during the war.
Punjab announces to hold Basant in Feb next year
Bahrain FM congratulates Dar on Makkah Joint Defence Deal
Trump: Iran must compensate for those it has killed, maimed
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