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World Football Regulator Warns Brazil's Team Over Religious Slogans On T-Shirts

By Howard M. Friedman

FIFA, world football's governing body, has sent a warning letter to the Brazilian football federation after their players wore T-shirts with Christian slogans during the finals of the Confederations Cup last month. Apparently the T-shirts were under their jerseys, and were displayed after the game in victory photos. Yesterday's London Mail reports that most members of the Brazilian team are Pentecostalists with strong Christian beliefs. FIFA's Laws of the Game set out an interpretation of Law 4:

Players must not reveal undergarments showing slogans or advertising. The basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements. A player removing his jersey or shirt to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organiser. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment has political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.

[Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]

Full post as published by Religion Clause on July 13, 2009 (boomark / email).