User talk:WillJB185/Islam in association football

Islam in association football

Islam in England’s Premier League

The Premier League, England’s top tier football league and one of the world’s most competitive, was officially founded in February of 1992. (1) During the league’s inaugural 1992-93 season, only one player, Mohamed Alí Amar, better known as Nayim, practiced Islam. (2) (3)

That has changed dramatically over the past quarter century. Today, more than 50 Muslims play in the Premier League and, during the 2018-2019 season, 19 out of the 20 Premier League teams had at least one Muslim player (4). Many of them are among the league’s top stars, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, Chelsea’s N'Golo Kanté and Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez. (5) (6)

The growing number of Muslim players has been fueled by the internationalization of football. (7) That has also led to greater understanding and willingness on the part of Premier League clubs and fans to accommodate players’ religious needs. (7) The league now employs a Muslim chaplain and some clubs have dedicated prayer rooms. (8)

However, Islamophombia has reared its ugly head on numerous occasions in connection with the Premier League, including an incident related to Salah. (9) (10) On the other hand, the presence of Muslim football stars in the Premier League may be having a positive effect on Islamophobia across English society. A Stanford University study links an 18.9% drop in anti-Muslim hate crimes in the county where Liverpool is located since Salah joined the team. (11) (12)