Former France international Samir Nasri is outraged by the controversy in France over the fasting of Muslim players during the holy month of Ramadan.
The French Football Federation had previously strictly banned referees from stopping league matches that coincide with Iftar time, to allow Muslim players to break their fast.
Nantes coach Antonio Compaoré also ruled out Algerian defender Joan Hadjam from the team's matches, for sticking to fasting during the day Ramadan, ignoring the coach's request to break the fast on match day.
These actions did not appeal to Nasri, who expressed his surprise at the importance of the coach being aware of the fasting of his players or not, stressing that these issues were not raised when he was a player.
Nasri said in remarks highlighted by the site "Footmercato" (footmercato) French: "Why should the coach know whether I fast in the Ramadan or not?!".
🗣️ Samir Nasri talking about the debates regarding football in Ramadan:
“Benzema is the best when it’s Ramadan. If a player is not performing well, you sub him out. Everyone has their own feelings, players are carried by their faith. Some eat fast food & then score a hattrick.” pic.twitter.com/xR2g3N7ICn
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 16, 2023
"This issue has become controversial in French society, but naturally things should not go like this, religion should remain a private affair," he said.
The former France international continued: "Why do you ask the player if he is fasting or not. 20 years ago we weren't talking about Ramadan."
"We are in a secular country, and religion must remain a private affair, everyone knows that we are in the month of Ramadan and we know that Muslims fast in it, and if the player does not appear at his level during the match, replace him, that's all, why do you have to ask him if he is fasting or not."
Nasri used his compatriot Karim Benzema, Real Madrid star, and Egyptian Mohamed Salah, Liverpool star, to emphasize that fasting Ramadan does not affect the players.
💢 Samir Nasri a fustigé les débats actuels autour du ramadan dans le football.https://t.co/p9UNA78aRo
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) April 16, 2023
"Nobody can respond better than Benzema, he is better at Ramadan, and also Salah. Everyone has their own beliefs, and the players believe in them," he said, wondering why the talk about these models was ignored when the issue of players fasting was raised.
Nasri, who announced his retirement on September 26, 2021, played during his professional career with clubs: Marseille, Arsenal, Manchester City, Sevilla, Antalya Spor, West Ham United, and Anderlecht, and played more than 40 international matches for the French national team.