Referees in the English Premier League and Football League have been asked to pause evening games in the United Kingdom to allow Muslim players to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
Sky Sports revealed that the refereeing bodies issued instructions to match officials to stop games and allow players to break their fast by drinking liquids or taking energy supplements and gels.
Some of the Premier League’s top players are Muslim and known to observe Ramadan, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez.
Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, a month of worship and self-reflection, which is expected to begin on Thursday and end around April 21, depending on the sighting of the moon. .
Referees are advised to identify any players observing Ramadan who must break their fast during the match before kick-off.
Sky Sports reported that the referees should allow a “natural break” in the game, such as a goal kick or throw-in, and set a rough time to break the pace.
Last year, a match between Burnley and Southampton was suspended in the first half to give Southampton players a chance to break their Ramadan fast.
In April 2021, Leicester’s match against Crystal Palace was stopped immediately to allow Wesley Fofana to break his fast.
