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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
James Whaling

FA Cup winners won't receive champagne prize due to religion

The FA will no longer provide champagne for the winners of the FA Cup out of respect for religious beliefs of footballers.

The governing body of England's showpiece event have had a long-standing tradition of awarding the winners a case of champaign.

It is often used by players to spray as the trophy is liften but it won't happen at this year's Wembley final between Manchester City and Watford, report the Mirror.

Instead, an alcohol-free substitute will be provided so players can still spray the contents over each other.

Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez, Benjamin Mendy and Ilkay Gundogan are among the Muslims who could take part in this year's final, along with Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure. Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol.

(PA)

Additionally, some other players are teetotal while others are under the legal drinking age of 18.

The move follows the Premier League opting to stop awarding players Champagne as a prize for being man of the match in 2012.

An FA spokesman said: "Winning teams will be awarded with non-alcoholic 'champagne' for their celebrations in all FA competitions, starting from this year’s Emirates FA Cup Final.

(AFP/Getty Images)

"This is to ensure that we are as inclusive as possible to players and communities who may be prohibited from alcohol, as well as any players who are under 18."

City booked their place in the final by seeing off Brighton in the semi-finals, while Watford came from 2-0 down to beat Wolves in a dramatic last-four clash.

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