Football Poets

taken from Evening Times:

“RANGERS have dropped the Carling logo from their replica shirts – for Muslim fans.

The club said it would sell unbranded tops to supporters who don’t want to advertise beer on their chests.

The move comes after complaints from Muslims whose religion prohibits anything that promotes drinking.

Delighted fan Mansoor Ali, 24, said: “I really like the new Rangers top and want to buy one this summer, but as a Muslim I have a duty to follow Islamic teachings.

“So I am really looking forward to wearing a Rangers shirt with pride – and not associating myself with alcohol.”

Mansoor has supported Rangers since he was five.

As a boy his dad refused to buy him a Rangers top because of the club’s shirt sponsorship deal with McEwan’s lager.

The Muslim Association of Britain today called on Celtic to follow Rangers’ example – but said it was still worried about the sponsorship deal, struck by the Old Firm in 2003.

A spokesman said: “There is a wider issue about whether it is responsible for the teams to be promoting alcohol in this way, though Rangers’ move is a welcome one.

“Full credit to the fans for taking up the issue with the clubs, and we hope that Celtic will also look after their Muslim following.”

Celtic-mad Suleyman Dar wants the new Hoops top – but, like Mr Ali, doesn’t feel comfortable advertising beer. He said: “I am still wearing an old NTL-sponsored top.

“It’s a real shame because I would like to wear the latest strip.”
A spokeswoman for Rangers said: “We will have a limited number of Rangers jerseys without the Carling logo available to purchase before the beginning of the season.”

Coors Brewing, the company that owns the Carling brand, said: “This won’t be a problem.”

Nobody was available for comment at Celtic, which was yesterday introducing its new manager, Gordon Strachan, to the media.

Alcohol Focus Scotland today welcomed Rangers’ decision .

Chief executive Jack Law said: “Fans of all ages and backgrounds should have the choice about whether to buy a strip which is branded with an alcoholic drink, and it is particularly inappropriate for young children to be wearing a top emblazoned with a lager brand.

“We hope the club will ensure fans are reminded of the wide availability of strips without the logo through all their retail outlets to make sure they send out a positive message to their fans.”

The Old Firm’s shirt sponsorship deals have come under fire before. Celtic
were forced to play in unbranded kit when they met Lyon in the Champion’s League two years ago because alcohol advertising is banned on French TV.
And while both clubs claim to produce unbranded kits for children – campaigners say these are not always prominently marketed and parents say they are difficult to get.

Champions League winners Liverpool have been sponsored by Carlsberg since 1992 only produce junior shirts without alcohol branding.”