The ruling on playing ball and the harms involved in it

Question:
Among the characteristics of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are the characteristics of youth today, namely ball games in their various branches. We hope you will guide us to the ruling on this from one of two angles: if it is merely about competition, and if it is devoid of morals and involves fighting, what should be done?

Answer:
Ball games are among the things people have introduced today, and among the things that have arisen between them today. Much evil, and perhaps great evil, has resulted from them. If the game were to have a specific time, not during prayer times, and if it did not harm the players, and if it involved covering the private parts, and if it were free from all such defects, that would be one thing. But as long as it involves disputes and quarrels, missing prayers, and exposing the private parts, its evil is evident in that case, and there is no good in it. People have been afflicted by it, and from it has resulted innumerable evil: disputes, quarrels, partisanship, much contention, fighting, and so on, as well as the exposure of private parts and the missing of prayers. It is not permissible for a person to attend it, except if it is held in a specific manner with specific companions at a specific time, far from missing prayers and exposing private parts; in that case, he may perhaps refrain from it. Yes.