Ramadan: Muslim Premier League and EFL players to be given chance to break fast during matches

Muslim footballers will be given the opportunity to break their Ramadan fasts during evening matches, after guidance was given to match officials.

Top Premier League players, including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech, and Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez, are expected to abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours throughout the holy month.

Match officials have been issued with the guidance by Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) to allow practising Muslim players to break their fasts when there is a natural pause in play during Iftar, which is after sunset.

Footballers and match officials alike will then be able to take on liquids, energy gels or supplements.

Ahead of the kick-off, officials will be encouraged to identify any players who may need to break their fast during the game, and if possible, agree on a rough time for this to happen.

Ramadan is a period of self-reflection, charitable acts and communal prayers observed by Muslims around the world. It will start this year on 22 March and end on 21 April - subject to the sighting of the moon.

Read more:
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Breaking a fast during matches is a recent addition to the game.

Leicester City's game against Crystal Palace in April 2021 was the first time a Premier League encounter was paused for Iftar.

Foxes defender Wesley Fofana and Eagles midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate broke their fasts mid-game to take on energy gels from the sidelines.

Fofana thanked the Premier League and Palace keeper Vicente Guaita, who delayed his goal kick to allow the pause, for their consideration.

In April 2022 referee Matthias Jollenbeck briefly paused a German Bundesliga match during the second half to allow Mainz centre-back Moussa Niakhate to break his fast by drinking some water.

Niakhate thanked the referee in what was a first in the German top flight.