Dar al-Ifta, Egypt's institution which clarifies religious principles and issues edicts, has exempted the national soccer/football team from fasting during the holy month of Ramadan ahead of an international tournament, but the players have refused. The fatwa or religious edict, which comes ahead of the World Youth Championship in Egypt due to kick off on September 24 just days after the end of Ramadan, has sparked the fury of the country's hardliners.

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