Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 17th February 2026, 7:05 AM
In a move to accommodate players observing the holy month of Ramadan, both the Premier League and the English Football League are continuing the special arrangements introduced in previous years. Matches will feature short pauses during play, allowing Muslim players to break their fast safely and conveniently.
Ramadan begins this week in the United Kingdom and will last for approximately one month. During this period, sunset—marking the time for iftar—occurs between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM GMT. Consequently, fixtures such as Saturday’s 5:30 PM kick-offs and Sunday’s 4:30 PM matches may require a brief stoppage to facilitate breaking the fast.
As in previous seasons, team captains and match officials will select a natural moment in the game for the iftar break, ensuring minimal disruption. The teams and officials will confer beforehand to determine whether a pause is necessary and, if so, the precise timing.
It is important to note that these breaks are strictly intended for iftar purposes. They cannot be exploited as a tactical timeout or for team hydration breaks. Play will continue uninterrupted if a natural pause does not coincide with the appropriate moment. Typically, the break will occur during the first available stoppage, such as a goal kick, free-kick, or throw-in.
| Year | Match | Players Benefiting | Method of Iftar |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Leicester City vs Crystal Palace | Wesley Fofana (Leicester), Cheikhou Kouyaté (Palace) | Short pause at goal kick; consumed fluids and energy gels |
| 2022 | Liverpool (training adjustments) | Sadio Mané and other Muslim players | Training schedules adapted to allow fast-breaking |
| 2023 | Multiple Premier League clubs | Various players including Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Ryan Ait-Nouri, Amad Diallo | Standardised match-time pause for iftar |
The formal introduction of iftar breaks in the Premier League came in April 2021, during a fixture between Leicester City and Crystal Palace. After approximately 30 minutes into the first half, the game was momentarily halted for Fofana and Kouyaté to consume fluids and energy gels, marking a historic first in English football.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, requiring Muslims to abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset as an expression of faith and devotion. This practice continues alongside professional commitments for Muslim players in the Premier League, including Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Ryan Ait-Nouri, and Amad Diallo.
Former Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré described his experience in a 2023 interview with BBC Sport:
“In the Premier League, you are free to follow your faith. They will never force you to compromise your beliefs. It is truly wonderful.”
Doucouré added:
“I fast every day without skipping. It has become routine and manageable for me. Even during Ramadan, training continues as usual. On away trips, sometimes we eat later than others, but the chef prepares our meals separately to ensure everything feels like home. We always have halal food, so there are no issues.”
Similarly, former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané revealed in 2022 that clubs often adjusted training schedules to support Muslim players during Ramadan, ensuring they could maintain both their fitness and religious obligations without conflict.
These measures reflect English football’s growing commitment to inclusivity, allowing players to practise their faith while competing at the highest level.
Comments