Money lender Wonga ‘offends Sharia law’ with Newcastle United shirt sponsorship

The Premier League club and the sponsor, who’ve signed a deal worth £24m over four years, has been criticised by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) for breaching Sharia law.

Although a legal business, Wonga’s charge of 4,214 per cent annual interest on loans which can be given over the web within 15 minutes is in breach of the Muslim law, which forbids followers from benefitting from lending or receiving money from someone.

There are four practising Muslims in Toons’ starting 11, Demba Ba, Papiss Cissé, Cheick Tioté and Hatem Ben Arfa.

Assistant secretary general of the MCB Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra told the Independent: "There are two aspects to this. We have the rulings of the religious law and we have the individual's choice and decision on how they want to follow or not follow that rule.

"The idea is to protect the vulnerable and the needy from exploitation by the rich and powerful.The Islamic system is based on a non-interest-based system of transaction."

Trade unions and MPs have criticised Wonga’s operation while representatives of the FA and the Football Supporters’ Federation of Britain have said they doubt the deal is appropriate.

Wonga is already a shirt sponsor for Blackpool and Hearts.

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