【明報專訊】The Barcelona (巴塞隆拿) football star Lionel Messi (美斯) has recently donated a pair of his used football boots to a charity auction on a TV show called Yes I am Famous, which broadcasts in Egypt (埃及) through MBC's (Middle East Broadcasting Center's) MASR Channel. But his generous gesture has angered some people in Arab (阿拉伯) countries.

The TV show requires every guest to donate a thing he owns to a charity auction. Messi decided to give away his football boots used in a friendly match against Chile (智利). However, shoes are symbolic of disrespect and even insult in Arab countries, including Egypt.

In Arab culture, shoes are considered dirty because they are on the ground and associated with the feet, the lowest parts of the body. It is seen as particularly insulting to show the soles of one's shoes. Many have expressed their anger through social networks, calling the donation "disgusting" and "a big insult to Egypt".

(source: Ming Pao, BBC)

■Photo story

TV presenter Mona al-Sharqawi (right) held the football boots Messi (left) had donated during the show.

■Words

gesture 姿態

culture 文化

■Quiz

Choose the correct answers.

(answers on next text)

1. In which of the following matches did Messi use the pair of boots he has donated?

a. a friendly match against Egypt

b. a friendly match against Chile

c. a friendly match against Brazil

2. What do shoes symbolise in Arab culture?

a. disrespect

b. generosity

c. friendliness

3. Showing which part of a shoe is regarded as particularly rude?

a. shoelace

b. heel

c. sole

4. Which of the following can replace "insulting" in paragraph 3?

a. constructive

b. defensive

c. offensive

■Glossary

disrespect (n) 不尊敬

insult (n) 侮辱

sole (n) 鞋底╱腳掌

social network (n phr) 社交網絡