El Shenawy said a few words and posed for photos in a brief ceremony but did not take the gobletGETTY IMAGES
Egypt G Mohamed el Shenawy's performance against Uruguay in Friday's FIFA World Cup match "earned him the coveted Man of the Match award," but he "refused to accept the award -- which is sponsored by Budweiser -- because he is Muslim," according to Liz Roscher of YAHOO SPORTS. El Shenawy "politely" turned down the award, while the person tasked with giving it to him stood there "awkwardly." Since his religion "forbids the consumption of alcohol, he elected not to accept the award because it was sponsored" by the beer brand (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/16). Egypt team Dir Ihab Leheta noted that el Shenawy "said a 'few words' and posed for photos in a brief ceremony, but didn't take the goblet." Leheta added that there was "no policy or set of regulations for members of the all-Muslim squad regarding their dealings with sponsors or prizes linked to alcohol" (AP, 6/17). In DC, Des Bieler notes the Man of the Match trophy is "designed as a tall, red goblet with the word 'Bud' emblazoned on it in large letters." Some Muslim players are "among the biggest individual stars" in the World Cup, including Germany MF Mesut Ozil and France MF Paul Pogba, and it "remains to be seen how they might choose to deal with being awarded a Man of the Match trophy, should they receive the honor" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/18).
THIS BUD'S FOR EVERYONE: MARKETING WEEK noted Budweiser is "promising to give a free beer to every adult of legal drinking age in England" if the team wins the World Cup. The company said that it is "committed to rewarding football fans' support and the campaign is backed by former England captain Steven Gerrard" (MARKETINGWEEK.com, 6/15).
