Premier League, EFL officials advised to pause matches during Ramadan

It will allow players to break their fast

By Web Desk
March 21, 2023
Many of the country's best footballers including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez and Chelsea's Ngolo Kante, are expected to fast this month — AFP

The Premier League and English Football League match officials have been advised to pause play so that players can break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan, Sky Sports reported on Tuesday.

The decision has been taken because many top footballers in English football observe fasting during Ramadan.

“Many of the country's best footballers including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez and Chelsea's Ngolo Kante, are expected to fast this month and will abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours during an important period of self-reflection for Muslims,” the report stated.

“They will need to break their fast once the sun has set - and this will affect a number of players taking part in evening matches across the divisions over the next month.

“Match officials have now been issued with guidance from refereeing bodies to allow for a natural pause in play and enable players to break their fast by taking on liquids or energy gels or supplements.

“They have also been encouraged ahead of the kick-off to try and identify any players who may need to break their fast during the game, and where possible to agree a rough time for this to happen.”

In 2021, a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was paused by referee Graham Scott after half an hour so that Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate could break their fast after sunset.

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