A quartet of Newcastle United players have broken ranks from their fellow players and club after reportedly citing Sharia Law as justification for refusing to don Wonga branded shirts.
The club recently signed a sponsorship deal with the controversial loans company, but its business model falls foul of the restrictive law which prohibits Muslims from benefitting from the charging of interest.
Wonga are an extreme case in this regard, imposing rates running to the eye-watering heights of thousands of percent APR.
Past precedents from other clubs suggest that players may be allowed to wear non-branded tops during competitive matches.
This hasn’t stopped Ba, Cisse, Tiote and Ben Arfa from donning Virgin Money branded shirts in the past put it is believed they may be about to score a point this time round.
Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, told The Independent: "There are two aspects to this. We have the rulings of the religious law and we have the individual’s choice and decision on how they want to follow or not follow that rule.
"Freddie Kanoute was allowed to wear a top without the 888.com, and that is a reasonable request to be made by the player.
"Assuming all four are on the pitch at the same time... if you have seven out of 11 you have sufficient coverage. It is not asking too much, I believe.'