Algeria team given permission to eat during Ramadan

The Algeria World Cup squad have been granted special permission to eat and drink in daylight hours during Ramadan by the Algerian Ministry of Religious Affairs.

During Ramadan Muslims around the world begin a month of fasting. This year’s Ramadan started on Sunday and will finish on or around July 27 depending on the Islamic lunar calendar - which is based on the visibility of the crescent moon.

There had been speculation that the players were going to observe the fast - which starts at dawn and ends at dusk – however Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic has now stated that his charges will follow a tailored schedule from an imam travelling with the team.

He said they will do this to respect Ramadan but not suffer physically as they head into their huge round of 16 tie with Germany.

Halilhodzic had been angered earlier in the week over questions on if the squad would take part in Ramadan, insisting it was a private matter for the players.

''When you ask this question you lack respect and ethics. I would like this to stop. Stop this controversy. Talk about football,'' he told the pre-match press conference.

''And stop asking me about Ramadan, otherwise I will get up and leave.''

Algeria have impressed with their performances at this World Cup losing narrowly to much fancied Belgium in the opening contest, before a brilliant 4-2 victory over South Korea.

Needing a draw in their final game the Algerians came from behind thanks to an Islam Slimani goal to get the draw they wanted and historically qualify for the knockout stage.

They now meet Germany tonight in Porto Alegre for the first time since the infamous 1982 "Disgrace of Dijon" - when having beaten West Germany in the group stages, the West Germans and Austrians played out a mutually beneficial 1-0 win for West Germany to dump Algeria out of the World Cup.