Referees will pause games during Ramadan to allow players break fast

Wesley Fofana breaks his fast midgame

PREMIER LEAGUE Referees will pause games during Ramadan to allow players break fast

Faruq Ibrahim 18:54 - 21.03.2023

A precedent was set in April 2021 when the game between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was paused to allow the Muslim players in action, Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate, to break their fast.

In a development to aid Muslims during Ramadan, the Premier League have instructed match officials to pause game time to allow Muslim players to break their fast in games that are played into Iftar time.  

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which able Muslims are mandated to fast.  They are to be without food or drink from dawn to sunset and must break the fast at the appropriate time.  

Premier League allows Ramadan break 

Ramadan starts on Wednesday or Thursday, and ESPN reports that the Premier League has informed match officials to allow for a natural pause in play to allow Muslim players to break their fast.

They are encouraged to note Muslim players that will be in action during the Iftar time before the game, and when a natural pause in the play occurs at the time, players and match officials who are fasting should be allowed to go to the sidelines to take in liquids or energy supplements.

Wesley Fofana breaks his ramadan fast mid match as he eats a banana during the Premier League match at St. Mary s Stadium, Southampton
Wesley Fofana breaks his ramadan fast mid match as he eats a banana during the Premier League match at St. Mary s Stadium, Southampton

A precedent was set in April 2021 when the game between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was paused to allow the Muslim players in action, Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate, to break their fast.

Chelsea open Stamford Bridge to Muslims 

As we reported in detail here, Chelsea will open the doors of Stamford Bridge on the 26th of March to allow Muslims to have Iftar.

Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium
Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium

This is a partnership with Ramadan Tent, and the Open Iftar program will take place at the side of the Stamford Bridge pitch. The Muslims in the community will gather to have a meal, and engage in other activities like religious lectures.

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