French Muslim Joins US Pro Soccer League

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Frenchman Ousmane Dabo has joined the New England Revolution of the U.S.’s Major League Soccer (MLS) after a long layoff. Dabo last played for Italian giants Lazio in June, but practiced with a lower division team and worked out with a personal trainer in order to stay in playing shape. The defensive midfielder will be counted on to improve the Revs’ possession game in the midfield. Dabo has also played for Manchester City of the English Premier League, and it was there that he was assaulted by his own teammate, Joey Barton, in 2007, in a notorious case in which Barton later pleaded guilty to criminal charges of assault.

The 34-year-old Dabo has also played with several prominent squads in Italy’s Serie A, including Internazionale Milan, Parma, and Lazio. He also played for prominent French team AS Monaco. Dabo has made three international appearances for France, beginning with the FIFA Federations Cup in 2003. He is joined in the profession of professional soccer by his brother Moussa, who is also a midfielder.

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