The Premier League is accommodating players observing Ramadan, allowing for pauses in play during matches to allow fasting athletes to break their speedy. The observance began on the evening of February 17th and continues for a month, presenting a unique challenge for footballers competing during daylight hours.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the situation following his team’s match against Leeds United, which was briefly halted to allow Muslim players to break their fast. Guardiola noted that players Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri had not eaten that day and that the team had taken “a little bit of vitamins.” He emphasized the importance of respecting religion and diversity, stating, “It is a modern world, right? You see what is happening in the world today. Respect religion, diversity, that is the point.”
The Premier League has established a protocol allowing for a one or two-minute pause in each half of games where Muslim players are fasting. Club captains and match officials are tasked with identifying a natural break in play to facilitate this. The agreement, initially put in place in 2021, aims to support players observing the religious practice without compromising the integrity of the game.
Sunset times in the UK during Ramadan range from approximately 17:00 to 19:00, meaning only matches with kick-off times around 17:30 and 16:30 are likely to require a pause. Arsenal’s match against Chelsea on Sunday, February 28th, with a 16:30 kick-off, is one such game.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson commented on BBC Radio 5 Live, highlighting the physical demands placed on fasting athletes. “I think it’s very fine for the players,” he said. “We talk about the athletes and how fine-tuned they are at the moment. To go that long without food and drink, it is vitally vital that they have that break.”
The implementation of these pauses has not been without incident. During the match between Leeds and Manchester City, some fans reportedly booed and sang offensive chants during the break in play, as reported by the Express.co.uk.
