Iftar break in Everton v Tottenham to allow Doucoure, Gana others break fast

In a bid to allow Muslim footballers to break their fast, the game between Everton and Tottenham was paused after a natural stop in play. 

Tottenham and Everton played a 1-1 draw tonight, but before the goals started creeping in in the second-half, the first-half had an intermission, which displayed the progressive nature of the Premier League.

The Premier League had instructed referees to allow for a natural stop in play before pausing time during the period of Iftar to allow Muslim footballers to break their fast. 

Since the development was reported, it was implemented for the first time today in the game between Tottenham and Liverpool.

Referee David Coote paused time at around the 25-minute mark to allow the Muslim footballers and officials to break their fast. 

Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye, and Andre Onana were known Muslims on the Everton side, and they were seen taking in fluids to end their fasting for the day. 

As we reported in detail here, 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 that time, players and match officials who are fasting should be allowed to go to the sidelines to take in liquids or energy supplements.

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.