Clash of civilizations alert. The sponsor doesn’t mind, and the shirts with the logo are still available. But this is an indication of the kind of demands that are beginning to be made, and will continue to be made, and will ratchet steadily up. “Rangers drop Carling shirt logo for its Muslim supporters,” from the Evening Times, with thanks to Stephen:
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.
Now the MCB wants other teams to follow suit:
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.”