A goalkeeper in France's top football league appeared to fake an injury to allow his Muslim team-mates to break their Ramadan fast, with such intervals currently banned by the sport's bosses.<br /><br />Midway through Nantes's 2-0 win over Ligue 1 rivals Le Havre on Sunday, shot-stopper Anthony Lopes fell to the ground, unchallenged, as the ball went out for a throw-in near the halfway line.<br /><br />Outfield players are required to go off the pitch when they suffer an injury that requires medical attention, so the game can continue - but this rule does not apply to goalkeepers, meaning that while Lopes received treatment from club doctors for an apparent hamstring injury, five of his team-mates made a beeline for the touchline.<br /><br />They could then be seen taking on food and water to break their fast.<br /><br />In France, where the burqa is banned and religious rules are strict, football lawmakers have not permitted breaks in play for religious reasons.<br /><br />After being attended to, former Portugal international Lopes got back to his feet slowly to allow his team-mates some more time to take on sustenance before play continued.<br /><br />The victory was crucial to Nantes' bid to stay in the French top-flight, with the club 17th in the 18-team league. They are level on points with Auxerre, who are 16th but are in the relegation zone due to a poorer goal difference by two goals. The bottom two teams will be relegated.<br /><br />Portuguese goalkeeper Anthony Lopes pretended to be injured during a Ligue 1 match so his Muslim teammates could break their fast during Ramadan.
