English Leagues to Allow Ramadan Breaks During Matches

Premier League and EFL confirm brief pauses at natural stoppages to let Muslim players break fast

By Abdullahi Yusuf

English football authorities have formalised matchday accommodations for Muslim players observing Ramadan, confirming that fixtures during the holy month will include brief pauses at natural stoppages to allow those fasting to break their fast after sunset.

The Premier League and the English Football League said play will not be halted during active passages but will instead pause at the earliest convenient moment, such as a goal kick, free kick or throw-in, enabling players and match officials to hydrate and take energy supplements.

Ramadan, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset, begins this week and lasts approximately one month.

Before relevant fixtures, club captains and match officials are expected to discuss whether a pause will be required and agree on an approximate timing to minimise disruption to the flow of the game.

The approach was first introduced across English football in 2021. The first official pause occurred in April that year during a Premier League match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace, when referee Graham Scott stopped play at a goal kick to allow Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyaté to take fluids and energy gels.

League officials describe the measure as part of wider inclusion efforts designed to recognise players’ religious commitments while maintaining competitive integrity.

The policy is expected to benefit several Muslim players in English football, including Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Amad Diallo, among others.

Players have previously welcomed the accommodations. In a 2023 interview with BBC Sport, former Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure said the league environment allowed him to observe his faith without difficulty, noting that clubs provided halal food and adjusted logistics when necessary.

Similarly, former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane said in 2022 that training schedules were modified during Ramadan to support fasting players.

Football authorities say the formalisation of the pauses ensures consistency across competitions and removes uncertainty for clubs and match officials.

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