Bayern Munich Stars Opt Out of Beer Photo, Sparking Online Debate

The Moroccan and Senegalese internationals Noussair Mazraoui and Sadio Mané posed, during the Bayern Munich family photo, in traditional dress, without the Bavarian beer in hand, unlike their teammates. This event is organized every year by the Paulaner beer brand, sponsor of the Bavarian club. The gesture of the two teammates is explained by the fact that they are Muslims. By allowing them to pose without holding the beer, Bayern Munich shows not only its respect for the religious diversity of the club, but also its respect for the principles of Islam of the Muslim players.

Before Noussair Mazraoui and Sadio Mané, the Moroccan international Mehdi Benatia, and his teammates Xherdran Xhaqiri and Franck Ribéry, all three Muslims, had also appeared without beer in hand in the official photo of the German club in 2015.