ISIS bans referees in Syria because they enforce 'laws of FIFA not Sharia'

Isis has reportedly banned football referees in one of its Syrian strongholds because they uphold the rules of Fifa and not Sharia law.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, Isis commanders told organisers of local games that referees would be banned because their decisions ‘do not judge according to what Allah has revealed’ and are ‘a violation of Allah’s command and the Sunnah.’

Commanders have also drawn up a list of rules, the SOHR reports, which describe how an injured player can receive compensation from their opponents, or exact revenge, under Sharia law.

We’re lucky because the football we play does not run using Fifa’s name – then the organisation [Isis] would have stopped games once and for all and not just refereeing,’ a player told the SOHR.

Isis has banned a string of other activities including smoking, dancing and watching foreign television. Those who breach the rules put in place by Isis can be flogged, shot, beheaded or burned alive.

In fact the name FIFA is not used at all under the command of the terrorist organisation.

Tough luck for the beautiful game, and the fans and players are the ones suffering.