FIFA World Cup award sponsor Budweiser says respect all religious beliefs after Egypt goalkeeper episode

Egyptian keeper Mohamed Elshenawy declined his man-of-the-match award sponsored by the American beer giant at the World Cup.

Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy clears the ball during the group A match between Egypt and Uruguay at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Yekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Friday, June 15, 2018. | AP 

MOSCOW: Budweiser say they "respect the religious beliefs" of all players after Egyptian keeper Mohamed Elshenawy declined his man-of-the-match award sponsored by the American beer giant at the World Cup.

Elshenawy was nominated after his stoic efforts holding off Uruguay striker Luis Suarez in Egypt's 1-0 defeat to the South Americans in their World Cup opener on Friday.

But the 29-year-old turned down the award due to his Muslim faith.

Budweiser told AFP on Monday: "We respect the religious beliefs of all players and worked with FIFA to put a process in place for Man of The Match winners who wish to not be featured with the Budweiser branding for religious reasons.

"Official Man of The Match winners who decline the Bud trophy for religious reasons will still receive full honors, such as Mohamed Elshenawy did, and we congratulate him on his accomplishment.”