NEWCASTLE United’s new sponsorship deal with payday loan company Wonga could prove contentious with the club’s Muslim players, a religious organisation has warned.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) says wearing shirts with Wonga’s logo could infringe Islamic law, which teaches that earning interest on money is not allowed.
The group has denied reports it is telling the players not to wear the shirts and say it will be up to them to decide what they do.
In their last game Newcastle fielded four players who are practising Muslims – Hatem Ben Arfa, Demba Ba, Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse.
Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, assistant secretary general of the MCB, said: “Islam does not treat money like a commodity that you can trade like food or clothing.
“It’s up to the players how they behave.”