Tunisia goalkeeper 'fakes injury' to break Ramadan fast

When goalkeeper Mouez Hassen collapsed at sundown, his teammates feasted on dates

Tunisia's World Cup football team seem to have found an ingenious way of fighting fatigue as they fast for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

In friendly matches against Portugal then Turkey, goalkeeper Mouez Hassen appeared to feign injury at sundown, when the daily fast comes to an end.

As he lay on the pitch receiving medical treatment, his teammates rushed to the sidelines to drink water and snack on dates.

And it produced immediate results.

Down 2-1 to European champions Portugal, Tunisia rebounded six minutes after Hassen's injury break by scoring an equaliser and ended the match 2-2.

Days later against Turkey, Hassen stopped play by lying on his back.

Again, his teammates ate dates and drank water provided to them by waiting coaching staff. That match also ended 2-2.

Defender Ali Maaloul (L) is seen here snacking on dates...

He then takes a gulp from a bottle of water handed to him by staff

Footage of that incident has been shared by a Tunisian football fan account. The story has entertained many in the country.

Pundits in Tunisia were quick to note the timing of the goalkeeper's injuries in the second half of both matches - in the 58th and 47th minutes of play respectively.

This coincided with the time of sunset, which is when Iftar - the breaking of the fast usually with dates and water - begins for Muslims observing Ramadan.

The Tunisian football federation has yet to comment on the timing of the two injury breaks.

But goalkeeper Hassen tweeted: "I was hurt, bruv" along with laughing emojis, in response to fellow footballer Chaker Alhadhur's jokey comment: "It's all right now, we know you were pretending."

All eyes will be on Tunisia's goalkeeper when the team plays its next friendly against Spain on 9 June.

The North Africans' first World Cup match takes place against England on 18 June, by which point Ramadan will be over.

Tunisia are one of five African teams at the World Cup

What is Ramadan?

During Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food, liquids and intimacy between sunrise and sunset.

The aim is to increase spirituality and religious observance through longer prayers and self-control, as Ramadan is seen as an opportunity to replenish one's spirituality.

The intention to fast must be made every day before dawn. The intention or "niyyah" may be made during the night before going to sleep or it can also be made at the time of "suhoor" or pre-dawn meal.

It is acceptable not to fast during Ramadan if you are pregnant, have a physical or mental illness, are elderly, experiencing severe thirst or hunger, travelling, or if your life is threatened should you not break the fast.

Read more:

• Ramadan questions Muslims always get asked

• The Muslims who fast for 22 hours a day in Iceland

• Six common misconceptions about Ramadan

• Ramadan: The 'shame' of eating during a period

• Should children be allowed to fast?