By: Sefiu Ajape
The Premier League and the English Football League (EFL) have announced that matches during Ramadan will feature short pauses to enable Muslim players and match officials to break their fast after sunset.
BBC Sport reported on Monday that Ramadan — the Islamic holy month when Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset — begins this week and will run for approximately one month.
Given that sunset in the United Kingdom falls between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT during this period, only fixtures scheduled for Saturday 17:30 kick-offs and Sunday 16:30 kick-offs are expected to include the brief stoppages.
Explaining the arrangement, the EPL stated: “Play will not stop while matches are in mid-flow. Instead, at the earliest convenient moment, such as a goal-kick, free-kick, or throw-in, players and officials observing Ramadan can take a brief pause to hydrate and replenish energy.”
The practice was first introduced in April 2021, when a Premier League fixture between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was temporarily halted at a goal-kick to allow Muslim players to break their fast.
During that match, Leicester’s Wesley Fofana and Crystal Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate were able to hydrate and take energy supplements shortly after sunset.
Before each applicable fixture, clubs and match officials agree in advance on whether a pause will be required and approximately when it should occur.
The initiative is intended to preserve the rhythm of the game while accommodating religious observance.
“We want to make sure players can perform at their best while observing their faith. “These breaks are designed to be practical, brief, and respectful,” EPL said.
Prominent Muslim players in English football, including Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Amad Diallo, are among those who may benefit from the mid-match breaks during the fasting period.
The decision underscores continued efforts by English football authorities to respect religious practices while maintaining competitive fairness in matches.
