Thursday, May 10, 2012

Martin Rogers: Soccer and religion meet on the pitch, where the English Premier League considers a change

English soccer is poised to change one of its oldest traditions following an awkward moment at the end of Manchester City's dramatic victory at Newcastle on Sunday.

Yaya Toure was presented with a ceremonial magnum of champagne for his man-of-the-match performance in the 2-0 triumph that left City just one win away from clinching its first English Premier League title.

Toure, however, refused to accept the bottle and immediately handed it over to teammate Joleon Lescott.

Toure is a devout Muslim who does not drink alcohol.

"I don't drink because I am a Muslim," Toure told Lescott. "So you keep it."

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