Tunisia’s World Cup squad appears to have devised an unconventional tactic to cope with Ramadan fasting during recent friendlies. Goalkeeper Mouez Hassen has been accused of feigning injury at sunset in two matches, allowing his teammates to break their daily fast.
In a 2-2 draw with Portugal, Hassen went down in the 58th minute, coinciding with iftar. As he received treatment, teammates rushed to the sidelines to drink water and eat dates. Tunisia equalised six minutes later. A similar incident occurred against Turkey in the 47th minute, also ending 2-2.
Footage of the stoppage went viral on social media. Hassen responded to a teammate’s joking comment with: “I was hurt, bruv” and laughing emojis. The Tunisian football federation has not commented.
Tunisia faces Spain on 9 June before their World Cup opener against England on 18 June, after Ramadan ends. During the holy month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset.
