Swiss Sylvain Wallner, defender of Austrian club FC Blau-Weiss Linz, has decided to end his football career for religious reasons.
“I want to follow Jesus Christ and the biblical day of rest has become important to me,” said the 22-year-old, adding that he did not want to play football on Saturdays.
Wallner added that Sunday is the traditional day of rest for Christians in Europe, but Saturday is the original day of rest in the Jewish religion.
FC Blau-Weiss Linz announced that it had been agreed to terminate the player’s contract early, although it was due to last until 2026.
Wallner joined the team last September from Zurich, Switzerland.
