Premier League Match Officials to Halt Matches for Muslim Players to Break their Ramadan Fast
Photo from Shamoon Hafez
Many of the Premier League's greatest players, such as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech and Ngolo Kante, are set to fast this month, abstaining from eating or drinking during daylight hours during a significant time of self-reflection for Muslims. This is known as Ramadan.
It is one of the holiest months for Muslims in the Islamic calendar and is characterised by a time of fasting as part of one of Islam's Five Pillars, which define their basic faiths, beliefs, and practices. Ramadan fasting typically requires Muslims to refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset. This year, Ramadan began on the evening of Wednesday, March 22, and will end on the evening of Friday, April 21.
In the Premier League, match officials are to halt matches in the middle to allow players to break their fast during the holy period. Match officials have now been issued instructions to allow for a natural halt in play and allow players to break their fast by consuming beverages, energy gels, or supplements. They have also been instructed to try and identify any players who may need to break their fast during the game and to agree on a rough timing for this to happen.
Premier League games have previously been paused for the same reason, and in April 2021, Leicester's match against Crystal Palace was halted so defender Wesley Fofana could break his fast. After the game, Fofana took to social media to say, "That's what makes football wonderful," referring to the cooperation of players and officials.
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