Avram confirms Stoke absence

17 September 2010 13:14
Under-fire West Ham boss Avram Grant has confirmed that he will not be in attendance on Saturday when his rock-bottom Hammers side visit Stoke's Britannia Stadium for a must-win clash. Grant will instead be observing the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, involves intense prayer and strict fasting and is one of the most important days of the Jewish religion. Speaking at his pre-match press conference Grant said, "I will not be at the stadium because this is a very significant day and out of respect to my father and my mother, especially after all they have gone through, and the tradition of thousands and thousands of years. It is the one day I have respected since I was a child and unfortunately it came on a Saturday this time. I am going to respect this day. "It is something I have done since I was a child. Unfortunately it fell on the day of the game, but I say it again, I have a lot of respect for a tradition of thousands of years and I think everybody respects this. I have respected other religions since I was a child and there is no other way. "I didn't notice any negative reaction. Everyone was very positive and even the rector Alan [club chaplain Rev Alan Bolding] came to visit me today. We need to respect this tradition of thousands of years because it is a very special day. I think everybody respects it - we have had a lot of emails, plus support from the Board, the owners and from the supporters.  "The team will be ready. We prepared the team. I will not be in the dugout, but that's why we have staff. I have a good staff and the team will be ready 100 per cent and that's what is important."

Source: FOOTYMAD