Question (148): What is the ruling on supporting kafir football teams, and displaying their flags at home, on cars, and on social media accounts? Also, how is holding fondness and reverence for these teams assessed?
Answer (148): Watching football matches is not considered permissible from a Sharia perspective. Because this activity has no benefit for either this world or the Hereafter. On the contrary, it causes valuable time to be wasted for nothing. It is not possible to find any wisdom or spiritual elevation in being absorbed in this game. Showing respect and reverence to a kafir (or the people of kufr) is contrary to the principles of iman and is considered among the factors that lead to kufr.
Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi
