http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/newcastles-muslim-stars-told-play-new-kit-070006117.html?nc

The club announced a new £24 million shirt deal with controversial moneylenders Wonga on Tuesday, and now the Muslim Council of Britain have attempted to intervene.

United have received widespread criticism after unveiling the four-year deal with the short-term loan company, and the MCB has now piled on further pressure.

Four Muslim players represented the club against Manchester United on Sunday – Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Cheick Tiote and Hatem Ben Arfa – and all are now being urged to make a stand.

Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, assistant secretary general of the MCB, said: "There are two aspects to this. We have the rulings of the religious law and we have the individual's choice and decision on how they want to follow or not follow that rule.

"The idea is to protect the vulnerable and the needy from exploitation by the rich and powerful.

"When they are lending and are charging large amounts of interest, it means the poor will have short-term benefit from the loan but long-term difficulty in paying it back because the rate of interest is not something they can keep up with."

He added: "The Islamic system is based on a non-interest-based system of transaction."

The club did its best to offset criticism of the new deal by announcing that the Sports Direct Arena would revert to its original name of St James' Park, but it has not prevented MPs and large numbers of people through social media declaring their disgust.

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I'm sure part of their wages comes from sponsorship deals - do they have a problem getting paid?

If they refuse to wear the shirt then that is gross misconduct and they can be dismissed and then sued for the transfer fee back.

Muslims at it again. What does a simple shirt have to do with anything?

I mean, it's not like the shirt says "Islam is Bad" or something of the like.

*SMH.

what a rubbish!!

Although am a muslim...but i cant read d above post bcause am on a bike..mak una help me summarize abeg!

Some people just wake up and start to write hogwash. Did the Muslim stars say they are not playing? Who is instigating this such of new? Seriously??

Na wa ooo.... am soo flabbergasted common shirt you cant wear because of logo yet when club accounts send pay slip with bank logo you collect...Common on

The players dare not yield to such advise except they want to toil with their career.

Some people don't understand a simple language but yet write rubbish on nairaland

Islam is a religion of perfection every thing u do in islam must hav a backing. U guys are complaining that wat the muslims are doing is bad and its u are the first to shout that banks are thieves due to exhorbitant interests they collect from people. Now u hav a religion that is trying to reject that kind of policy and u are stil angry just because they are muslims. I'm sure if its not a religious body that is rejecting this policy every one wil quickly support it but just because its abt muslims every body is complaining. I wonder wat islam has done to u people. But weda u like it or not, d glory of islam wil continue to shine.

Seriously there is trouble being among the muslims. Just that they charge higher interest, their shirt is forbidden, in that case, muslims should stop playing football cos is also exploitation of the fans to satisfy the muslim players

The important sentence there is were thee Sheikh directed thαt it's a choice on the players.

#for all the bigots

I fink ben arfa,bemba ba,cisse n bull-headed tiote should quit newcastle all just cuz of deal.......i swear dey won't bodly beat eyimba talkless of southampton......boys pls quit 4 man u sake haha

Are these Muslim Council of Britain guys serious?

Do they know how many Muslims work in banks worldwide?

I went to discuss a mortgage plan the other day at HSBC, and it was a Pakistani dude named 'Saniu Islam' for that matter that discussed lending rates and such with me.

These Idiots are the reason why people get mad with Islam.

Do they know what MODERATION means?

Cant these people bend their religious beliefs to fit modern living instead of the other way round?

If I hear say that womaniser Ben Arfa no wear that shirt

~Royal~:
Despite me being opposed to the concept of "Black Muslims" and "Black Muslim Pawns" as these Senegalese and West African brothers are clearly being used as...

I do however Like the Stance Islam Takes on this Particular point of Exchange.

UK boy,so you still dey alive
Long time no see

Reminds me of Kanoute refusing to play with Sevilla's 888 jersey few years back, saying its advertisement of gambling company.

Sun of god: I'm sure part of their wages comes from sponsorship deals - do they have a problem getting paid?

If they refuse to wear the shirt then that is gross misconduct and they can be dismissed and then sued for the transfer fee back.

Sensible post.... You said it all........

If they won't wear the shirt, then they should also refuse their wages.. , which is unlikely....


That Muslim council man advising them not to wear the shirt should also advice them not to take their wages.... .... Hypocrites.


The Muslim council guy should also stop collecting any form of benefits from the UK government, because Wonga pays taxes to UK government.


I'm sure he wont stop collecting benefits... Hypocrites..

Nothing serious Here...no need for the bashing...

ISLAM IS A COMPLETE RELIGION FROM ALMIGHTY ALLAH AND NOTHING ANY FOLKS WILL SAY THAT WILL CHANGE THE LAWS OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH. GO AND HUG TRANSFORMER IF YOU KNOW LIKE THE RELIGION. ISLAM NO BE YEYE RELIGION THAT PERMITS YOU TO DO ANYHOW.

madridguy: ISLAM IS A COMPLETE RELIGION FROM ALMIGHTY ALLAH AND NOTHING ANY FOLKS WILL SAY THAT WILL CHANGE THE LAWS OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH. GO AND HUG TRANSFORMER IF YOU KNOW LIKE THE RELIGION. ISLAM NO BE YEYE RELIGION THAT PERMITS YOU TO DO ANYHOW.

Another fanatic has arrived on the scene...

I hope you only bank with Jaiz bank cos if not,Hell-fire sure you sir....

They no dey drink beer but them dey follow share beer tax money?

Na everytin muslims go complain abt na wa o!!

THE PROBLEM ABOUT YOU PEOPLE IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE RESPECT FOR YOUR RELIGION AND THAT IS WHY YOU'RE DOING ANYHOW. IMAGINE SOMEONE STOLE BILLIONS OF NAIRA AS BANK MD AND HE PAY 40 MILLION TO PASTOR AND THE CRIMINAL MAN OF GOD NEVER ASK HIM WHERE HE COME WITH SUCH A HUGE AMOUNT.