2019 Emirates FA Cup Final Winners Will Celebrate With Non-Alcoholic Champagne

Football truly unites people around the world. The team that emerges victorious in next month’s Emirates FA Cup final between Manchester City and Watford will be served non-alcoholic champagne for a change. The English Football Association (FA) will break tradition and accommodate those who do not drink, either due to religious reasons or age restrictions. In this way, players will not be offended and minors will not be exposed to drinking alcohol.

The move will kick in next month when Manchester City take on Watford at Wembley Stadium on 18 May. 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.

Alcoholic awards have been previously quashed in the Premier League by Muslim stars such as Yaya Toure. He turned down the traditional post-match bottle of champagne in 2012 quoting that, “I don’t drink because I am a Muslim, so you keep it.”

Also read: Muslim Football Superstar Mohamed Salah is One of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Peopleo