Mohamed Salah may be responsible for a drop in Islamophobia in Liverpool, according to a new study.
The Egyptian, a practising Muslim, has been worshipped by the red half of Merseyside following his Anfield arrival in June 2017.
And research by Stanford University shows that, since then, anti-Muslim hate crimes have fallen by 18.9 per cent, while Islamophobic tweets by Liverpool fans have dropped by 50 per cent.
No other offence has seen such a sizeable decrease in that time frame – and there is good reason to believe Salah’s presence has been a significant factor.
The study argues that Salah’s friendly outward persona has helped ‘humanise’ the Muslim community and change prejudicial attitudes.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
“The survey experiment suggests that these results may be driven by increased familiarity with Islam,” the report reads.
“These findings suggest that positive exposure to outgroup celebrities can reveal new and humanising information about the group at large, reducing prejudiced attitudes and behaviours.
“Overall, we interpret these results to support the hypothesis that Salah’s arrival at Liverpool FC caused a decrease in extreme acts of bigotry.”
The 26-year-old has scored 71 goals in 104 games for the club and celebrates by performing sujood, the Islamic act of prostration to God.
Salah’s emergence last season led to chants celebrating the Egyptian’s Muslim identity, fuelling media speculation that his success was reducing Islamophobic attitudes among Liverpool fans.
He was named in TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2019 in April – and his manager, Jurgen Klopp, says the forward is continually breaking down stereotypes.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
- Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT
- France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
- Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) – talkSPORT
- England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) – talkSPORT
“He’s a role model in so many different things. It’s really, really nice to have him, and Sadio [Mane] as well,” the Liverpool boss said.
“Both are Muslims and live that in a world where these things are very often discussed in a dangerous manner, where people think ‘they are all like this’ or ‘they are all like that’.
“We know that’s not true, but it is nice to have somebody around full of joy, full of love and to do what he is doing around his religion.”
Declan Rice has issued an apology for remarks made on social media which appeared to show support for the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). The West Ham star, who has controversially switched his international allegiance from the Republic to Ireland to England, used the phrase 'Up the RA' at least three times in posts on…
Who Gets To Be a Geek? Anyone Who Wants to Be - Whatever
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has told talkSPORT the club have not progressed since he left and MUST start backing their managers again.. Moyes' short reign has gone down in English football folklore, as the Scot - handpicked by Sir Alex Ferguson as his successor - lasted just nine months in charge at Old Trafford.
'I cried when I was sacked as Manchester United manager
WHAT A SIGHT The second test event saw saw Tottenham Legends take on Inter Forever and the Spurs faithful and Ardiles took the opportunity to gush about the club's new home Tottenham's slick new stadium saw its first piece of football last weekend and it wowed all those who attended including talkSPORT's Ian Abrahams, who…
'Simply the best' - Tottenham fans and former player Ossie
Lyon have allegedly made contact with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as they plan to change bosses this summer. L'Equipe report the French side might move for his signature as a replacement for current head coach Bruno Genesio. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Lyon and PSG chase Arsene Wenger as ex-Arsenal boss prepares
Transfer news and football gossip: Kylian Mbappe hints at PSG exit, Alexis Sanchez's desperate bid to leave Manchester United, City identify Vincent Kompany replacement talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Monday's papers and online… Kylian Mbappe has put Europe's top clubs on red
Kylian Mbappe ignites Paris Saint-Germain exit talks - newsR
Tottenham Hotspur: Lucas Moura cries after watching replay of incredible tie-winning goal against Ajax The Brazilian ace hit a hat-trick to send Spurs into the Champions League final Video
Tottenham Hotspur: Lucas Moura cries after watching replay of
Marcus Rashford is stalling over a new contract at Manchester United, as the scale of the rebuilding job facing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer becomes clear. Rashford was linked with a move to Barcelona in
Manchester United open talks with Marcus Rashford over new
Stay ahead with Sky Sports. Our Transfer Centre has the latest football transfer news, details on done deals, and speculation from the rumour mill.
Arsenal line up Wilfried Zaha transfer swoop but only want to
Liverpool injury update: Mohamed Salah expected to be fit for Barcelona Champions League game, but Roberto Firmino is out The Brazil international missed the 3-2 win over Newcastle By Joe Coleman
Mohamed Salah injury: Update expected on whether Liverpool
Celtic great Billy McNeill, captain of the famous 'Lisbon Lions', has died at the age of 79, his family has confirmed. McNeill became an iconic name in Scottish football after wearing the armband
Celtic legend Billy McNeil dies aged 79 | HeraldScotland
'Super computer' predicts where Nottingham Forest are going to finish in the Championship this season. Aitor Karanka's side are on the cusp of the top six after a strong start to the season
Premier League table: Super computer predicts - Daily Star
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Mauricio Pochettino makes Spurs stars walk on hot coals and break arrows with throats fpnews June 1, 2019 0 Mauricio Pochettino has put his Tottenham players through a series of death-defying challenges to get them emotionally prepared for the Champions League final against Liverpool.
Mauricio Pochettino makes Spurs stars walk on hot coals and
No comments:
Post a Comment