KUALA LUMPUR: The French Football Federation (FFF) is facing a backlash over their controversial rule to bar their Muslim players from observing Ramadan fasting while on international duty. This led to an Under-19 player removing himself from the squad.
The FFF introduced what it called a "general framework" - applicable to all levels of the national team from Under-16 to the senior squad - which ordered training sessions, meals and matches not to be rescheduled to accommodate Ramadan.
The federation said its decision was in line with the French concept of "laicite", the constitutional principle of secularism in France, commonly interpreted as the separation of civil society and religious society.
While the debate rages, Malaysian football has had no problem with the fasting month.
Football Coaches Association of Malaysia president Datuk Ong Kim Swee said footballers in Malaysia are used to fasting during the M-League.
"The players are accustomed to playing during the fasting month. The league has been held during the fasting month for the past few years, so there's no problem.
"The M-League kick-off is pushed back during the fasting month, so there are no issues. The training sessions of clubs are also adjusted accordingly to fit the breaking fast time.
"The morning training sessions are pushed early after sahur, and the evening session training is held an hour before break fast time. The intensity of training sessions is also adjusted accordingly.
"I don't see fasting as an issue in the M-League. The players are professionals, and they know how to take care of themselves," said Kim Swee.
Meanwhile, former hockey player Nor Saiful Zaini said he had no issues with fasting when playing for the national team, and it all comes down to mental strength.
The Olympian said self-discipline is the key, and it's all about mind over matter when he was fasting during his time with the national team.
"The first thing is knowing your body. I fasted during Olympic qualifiers and there was no difference in my performance. You need to have a strong belief in your faith," said Nor Saiful, who played in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics.
"The training intensity is usually reduced, and the scheduling of the training is adjusted to get the best from the players during the fasting month. You can eat before sunrise, so you can train in the morning or break fast at sunset before the evening or night training sessions.
"You need to listen to your body, but it doesn't mean you should just stop fasting because you feel like it. The body will give signs that it could not continue or cope with fasting.
"It's self-discipline. You need to be alert about your diet and pace yourself when you are fasting. We have team doctors and sports science to help with diet planning.
"The human body will adapt and when you can eat, you should make sure you are getting the right nutrients and take your supplements. You cannot be consuming heavy meals or spicy food."