Devout Husain Abdullah, earned his team a 15-yard penalty, but the NFL has criticised the referee's decision to punish him for praying
An American football star was penalised for "unsportsmanlike conduct" after he celebrated a touchdown by performing a Muslim prayer.
Devout Husain Abdullah, 29, was slapped with a 15-yard penalty when he dropped to his knees to pray after scoring for Kansas City Chiefs in their 41-14 win over New England Patriots on Monday.
Under National Football League (NFL) rules, players are banned from celebrating or demonstrating while on the ground, but exceptions are made for religious prayers.
However, the NFL said the referee made the wrong judgement.
Devout Husain Abdullah, 29, was slapped with a 15-yard penalty when he dropped to his knees to pray after scoring for Kansas City Chiefs in their 41-14 win over New England Patriots on Monday.
Under National Football League (NFL) rules, players are banned from celebrating or demonstrating while on the ground, but exceptions are made for religious prayers.
However, the NFL said the referee made the wrong judgement.
NFL spokesman Michael Signora told ESPN: "The officiating mechanic in
this situation is not to flag a player who goes to the ground as part
of religious expression, and as a result, there should have been no
penalty on the play."
The penalty sparked a social media frenzy among American football fans, who said Christian players have been allowed to pray in similar situations.
Abdullah took to Twitter to thanked fans for their support.
By Steve Kelly
The penalty sparked a social media frenzy among American football fans, who said Christian players have been allowed to pray in similar situations.
Abdullah took to Twitter to thanked fans for their support.
By Steve Kelly
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