The Premier League and English Football League (EFL) have confirmed that matches will be paused briefly during Ramadan to allow Muslim players and match officials to break their fast after sunset.
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset, starts this week and will last for around a month, according to BBC Sport on Monday.
The only games that are likely to be postponed are Saturday 17:30 kickoffs and Sunday 16:30 kickoffs, as sunset in the UK usually falls between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT at this time.
The EPL explained how the breaks will work: “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.”
Clubs and match officials discuss the stoppage before each relevant match, deciding whether it will be necessary and approximately when it should occur.
The practice began in April 2021 when a Leicester City vs. Crystal Palace game was halted at a goal kick to allow Muslim players to break their fast.
This allowed Wesley Fofana of Leicester and Cheikhou Kouyate of Palace to hydrate and consume energy gels shortly after sunset.
The goal is to honor religious adherence while maintaining the game’s flow.
“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.
Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Amad Diallo are notable Muslim football players in England who would all profit from this month’s mid-match pauses.
The action is a reflection of the English football authorities’ continuous attempts to respect religious customs while preserving the fairness of games.
