Sections of the Leeds United fanbase booed a Premier League-mandated stoppage during Saturday’s match against Manchester City, prompting City manager Pep Guardiola to call for greater “respect” for diversity and religious observance.
The pause in play, occurring in the 13th minute of the match at Elland Road, allowed City’s Muslim players – Omar Marmoush, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki – to briefly break their fast as they observe Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. A message explaining the reason for the stoppage was displayed on the stadium’s big screen, yet audible jeers were still heard from parts of the crowd.
Guardiola addressed the incident after the match, which City won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Antoine Semenyo. “It’s the modern world, right? Look at what happens in the world right now again today,” he said. “You have to respect religion and respect the diversity, that is the point. The Premier League said for the fasting you can [spend] one or two minutes doing that, so the players did it. It is what it is, unfortunately.”
The Premier League and English Football League introduced the provision for such stoppages in 2021, allowing players to break their fast during a natural pause in play, such as a goal kick or throw-in. This year, Ramadan began on February 17 and is scheduled to conclude on March 19.
Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out released a statement condemning the reaction of some Leeds supporters. “It’s massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans booed when Manchester City’s players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road this evening,” the statement read. “This was compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium. Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now. It’s an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players, and communities.”
Leeds assistant manager Edmund Riemer, speaking to Sky Sports after the match following the sending off of manager Daniel Farke, expressed his disappointment with the behaviour of some fans. “I’m focused on the game so I don’t really hear it, but disappointed with some supporters that that happened,” he said.
City’s squad included Abdukodir Khusanov, another Muslim player, on the bench during the match. Guardiola explained that the players had been taking vitamins to compensate for not having eaten or drunk throughout the day.
