IRVINE, Calif. Dec. 29 — The idea was innocent enough: A group of young men organize a holiday football tournament and give their teams such innocuous names as "4th and Goal" and "Playmakerz." It was some of the other team names that raised eyebrows: Intifada, Soldiers of Allah and Mujahideen
The furor that followed has forced some teams to change their names and a handful of players to quit. It also sparked a debate that threatens to overshadow the tournament, which was planned primarily for young Muslims and scheduled for Jan. 4.
"This was really just supposed to be about the youth playing football. Now it’s become so political that a part of me thinks we shouldn’t even play," said Tarek Shawky, 29, one of the tournament’s organizers.
Those involved in the league said they never set out to upset or offend anyone. But critics say such names as Intifada and Mujahideen glorify terrorism..... |