Gloucester cricket team docked points for missing match during Muslim festival of Eid

The team have been docked points for not playing a game during a religious festival. Credit: AIW Cricket club

A cricket team in Gloucester say it's a travesty they've been deducted points for missing a game which clashed with the most important religious festival in the Islamic calendar.

Gloucester AIW Cricket club is mostly made up of Muslim players. They say they warned the league months in advance they would be unable to play because of Eid.

The club now face being relegated this season. Credit: AIW Cricket club
Ahmed says the club's action is a travesty. Credit: ITV News

Gloucester AIW said it has been docked 22 points, and its opponents awarded a further 20 points as a concession, for missing the match last Saturday (10 August).

Diversity in cricket is becoming a key part of the game. Credit: AIW Cricket club

The team has won trophies and been part of their division for more than a decade.

But now they'll almost certainly be relegated for missing last week's match when almost all the team attended Eid festivities.

It has been a summer to remember for English cricket with victories at the World Cup and the Ashes. The diversity of the national side has been heralded as a key part of their success.

The Gloucestershire County Cricket League say it has acted within its rules.

But the players say they're depressed this can still happen in 2019.