Tal Ben Haim out of Charlton's clash with Birmingham
Charlton defender Tal Ben Haim will miss Saturday’s Championship match at home to Birmingham while observing a religious holiday.
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for members of the Jewish faith, who will take part in roughly 25 hours of fasting and intense prayer from Friday evening to Saturday.
And Israel international Ben Haim has been given permission to sit out Saturday’s fixture by Charlton.
The sixth-placed Addicks have made an unbeaten start to the campaign and the 32-year-old has started every match, teaming up well with his central defensive partner Andre Bikey-Amougou.
Head coach Bob Peeters said: “Tal Ben Haim has been superb for us this season but he won’t be available for selection on Saturday because of his religious commitments and, as a club, we must respect that.
“He’s a great professional and, after he approached me and asked my permission not to play in this game, I decided that undoubtedly it is the right decision to let him observe Yom Kippur.”
The Charlton website added: “Joe Gomez is also likely to miss the game after picking up an ankle injury in the win at Norwich City but Michael Morrison is available.”