Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic refused to divulge which of his Muslim players are observing Ramadan ahead of Monday’s World Cup last-16 meeting with Germany.
The 30-day dawn-to-dusk fast began on Sunday and Halilhodzic, 61, bristled at a routine question about the subject in his pre-match news conference.
“This is a private matter and when you ask this you lack respect and ethics,” said the Bosnian.
“The players will do as they wish and I would like to stop this controversy.”
Islam enjoins the fast “if possible.” Those who are ill or aged are exempted. In this case, it would be extremely dangerous for soccer players to attempt to play this match in the late afternoon in the Brazilian heat without water. I hope they don’t try it.
On principal I like the coach’s response.