Daesh outlaws football referees because they ‘violate Allah’s commands'

Daesh has reportedly outlawed football referees in one of its Syrian strongholds because they implement Fifa rules “in violation of the commands of Allah”.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR), Daesh 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.”

SOHR also reported that commanders had drawn up a list of rules detailing how injured players can be compensated by their opponents under Sharia law.

The news comes before the beginning of the football league season in the territory around Deir ez-Zor, which is a Daesh strong-hold.

The reported ban was decided by courts established by Daesh to rule on issues according to its extremist ideology.

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

Daesh is currently battling to maintain control Deir ez-Zor city amid an offensive by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

The group has suffered a series of significant defeats in its territories across Syria and Iraq in recent months, including the death of propaganda head Abu Muhammad al-Adnani this week.