West Ham have confirmed that manager Avram Grant will not be in the dugout for Saturday's Premier League at Stoke City to observe Yom Kippur - just as we told you last week.
Grant, along with Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim, has been excused duty for the clash at the Britannia Stadium.
A statement on the club's website said: "West Ham United fully respect and understand the situation. It is very unusual for the day to clash with the fixture list."
"The manager will pick and prepare the side as usual and fully ensure that all are ready for the match this weekend. Assistant-manager Zelijko Petrovic, senior coach Paul Groves and first team coach Kevin Keen will be in the dugout."
David Gold, West Ham’s Jewish co-chairman, said: "Religion is a very personal thing and, much as I would like Avram to be at every game, I respect his decision. If my grandparents were still alive, they would not have gone to a match on Yom Kippur. Personally, I believe it is possible to fulfill both your religious obligations and your work obligations, but it's not so easy to do both if you are absolutely devout.”
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