By Peter Omopo
The and the (EFL) have announced procedures permitting brief pauses in matches during Ramadan to allow Muslim players and match officials to break their fast at sunset.
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, is expected to commence this week following the sighting of the moon and will last approximately 30 days. During the period, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset as one of the five pillars of Islam.
According to a report by , sunset times in the United Kingdom at this time of year range between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT. As a result, only fixtures scheduled for Saturday at 17:30 and Sunday at 16:30 kick-offs are likely to require a pause in play.
Under the guidelines, club captains and match officials will identify a natural stoppage in the game to enable Muslim players or officials observing Ramadan to hydrate and replenish energy. Teams and match officials are expected to discuss in advance whether a pause will be needed and agree on an approximate time.
The leagues clarified that play will not be halted while the ball is in active motion. Instead, the break will occur at the earliest convenient opportunity, such as during a goal-kick, free-kick or throw-in.
In a statement explaining the process, the Premier League noted: “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 measure has been in place since April 2021. One of the first instances occurred during a league fixture between and , when the game was paused at a goal-kick to allow Muslim players to break their fast. On that occasion, Leicester’s Wesley Fofana and Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate took the opportunity to hydrate and consume energy supplements shortly after sunset.
Clubs and match officials have since continued the practice, holding pre-match discussions to determine if a stoppage is required and when it should be implemented.
Several high-profile Muslim players currently feature in the Premier League, including , , and .
Speaking to BBC Sport in 2023, former midfielder praised the inclusive approach of the league.
“In the Premier League, you are free to do whatever suits you. They will never do anything against your faith, and this is great,” he said.
Doucoure added that fasting had become routine for him, noting that clubs make adequate arrangements, particularly during away matches, to ensure Muslim players have access to halal meals at appropriate times.
Similarly, in 2022, former forward revealed that the club adjusted training schedules to support Muslim players observing Ramadan.
The initiative underscores continued efforts by English football authorities to accommodate religious practices while preserving the competitive integrity and flow of matches.
