An
Egypt team official has confirmed
goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy declined to receive a player of the match trophy at the
World Cup for religious reasons.
![Egypt goalkeeper declines beer-sponsored World Cup award](/images/files/201861823230284452750.jpg)
The trophy, an artistic red goblet, is sponsored by
Budweiser.
Islam prohibits the consumption of
alcohol.
Egypt team director Ihab Leheta told The Associated Press on Sunday that Elshenawy said a "few words" and posed for photos in a brief ceremony, but didn't take the goblet.
He said there was no policy or set of regulations for members of the all-Muslim squad regarding their dealings with sponsors or prizes linked to alcohol.
"It is up to each one," he said.
The 29-year-old Elshenawy won the award following his impressive performance in the 1-0 loss to Uruguay on Friday. He made a string of stunning saves before Uruguay clinched the win with a goal in the 89th minute.
Images of Elshenawy gesturing what appears to be a rejection of the trophy held by a young Budweiser representative in the stadium's tunnel appeared on social and mainstream media. Budweiser is among
FIFA's top sponsors.
Egypt, a mainly Muslim nation of some 100 million, is playing at the World Cup for the first time since 1990.