DOHA: Noted Islamic scholar, Dr Yusuf Al Qaradawi (pictured), yesterday described as devils those who introduced the game of soccer, while decrying the row between Egypt and Algeria over the World Cup qualifying playoff in Khartoum.

In his Friday sermon, the cleric came down heavily on Egyptians and Algerians indulging in violence in Cairo, Khartoum and Algiers.

Egypt won the match against Algeria in Cairo nearly a week ago, but due to the points system had to play with them again, in Khartoum, on Wednesday, losing 1-0 to Algeria.

This is the second time Algeria has qualified for the World Cup soccer to be held in South Africa next year. In Cairo, the Algerian football team was attacked after the match, while in Khartoum there was violence between Egyptian and Algerian spectators on Wednesday.

And since then Egyptian businesses and people based in Algiers are being targeted in mob attacks, with Arab leaders calling for calm. Egypt has recalled its ambassador from Algeria for talks and registered protest with the Algerian ambassador in Cairo.

Al Qaradawi, who is respected all over the Arab and Islamic world and heads the global association of Islamic scholars, said he was upset over the development, describing it uncalled for.

“Who introduced this game of soccer,” he wondered, describing them as satanic. Why should people from two brotherly Arab countries fight, that too, over a trivial game?” he quizzed.

“The Israelis must be mocking at us, Arabs. They must be happy hearing of people from two brotherly Arab countries fighting with one another.”

The cleric said people must realise that football is merely a sport and cannot resolve problems like unemployment which is rampant in the Arab world.

“And if by winning the game we enter the paradise, the fight can be justified, but can we enter the heaven if we win a game of soccer?”

Finally, taking a dig at the inability of Arab countries to win the World Cup, he said it doesn’t matter if Algeria or Egypt enters the international soccer event, for after all the Cup would be either lifted by some European team or Brazil.

Individual sporting competitions are better than team events, said the scholar. “It’s all very upsetting. Where are we heading?” he wondered.