Those watching the cricket this summer may notice that one player has something missing from the Australian team uniform. Fawad Ahmed will not be displaying the " VB " shoulder patch of the teams sponsor, Carlton and United Breweries.
Ahmad is " not comfortable " wearing an advertisement for a product that conflicts with his Muslim beliefs and the decision to go with his wishes introduces a new element of financial risk to sport.
Carlton and United Breweries are paying over ten million dollars to sponsor the Australian teams in the Test One Day and Twenty20 series. In accepting this sponsorship, the sport is contracted to displaying the company logo on the teams sporting uniform. This clash of " sport " and " religion " is about to put stress on the source of the fat pay cheques that those who rise to this playing level receive.
Ahmed is not the only Muslim in the Australian cricket team. Usman Khawaja has " no objection " to the VB logo and explains that he is an " Australian player " - as opposed to being a " Muslim player ".
All levels of sport and all sporting codes require players to wear the officially sanctioned team uniform - and that includes the logos of the commercial interests who buy sponsorship rights. Perhaps the time to think about any clash between sport and religion should be made before committing to even trying out for a sporting career.
Wearing a logo is not the same as personally endorsing a product. It is a legitimate form of advertising a perfectly legal product - and cricket is followed by a mix of people who are divided on their use of alcohol.
Rejecting a logo on religious grounds - and then playing at a venue which is -plastered with advertisements for that same product - is hardly a convincing argument. It would be more convincing if that player refused to play any sport supported by sponsors with which he did not approve.
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