Premier League to Pause Matches During Ramadan for Muslim Players

The Premier League and English Football League (EFL) will once again implement procedures to allow Muslim players to briefly break their quick during matches that overlap with sunset during Ramadan. The Islamic holy month, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset, begins this week and lasts for approximately one month, concluding on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026.

How the Pauses Will Work

Before each match, teams and match officials will discuss whether any players are fasting and, if so, agree on a suitable moment to pause play. The break will occur at a natural stoppage in the game, such as a goal-kick, free-kick, or throw-in, and will not be used as a tactical time-out or drinks break. The aim is to balance the flow of the game with respect for religious observance.

With sunset in the UK ranging from approximately 17:00 to 19:00 GMT during Ramadan, only Saturday’s 17:30 kick-off and Sunday’s 16:30 kick-off are currently anticipated to require a pause.

History of the Procedure

A similar agreement was initially put in place in April 2021, starting with a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace. During that game, Leicester’s Wesley Fofana and Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate were permitted to briefly break their fast during a goal-kick. Everton players Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye, and Amadou Onana similarly paused a match against Newcastle in April 2024 to break their fast.

Players Affected

Several Premier League players are expected to be observing Ramadan this year, including Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Rayan Ait-Nouri, Amad Diallo (Manchester United), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham), Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth), and Djed Spence (Tottenham).

Commitment to Inclusivity

The Premier League has stated its commitment to ensuring players can perform at their best while observing their faith. The pauses are designed to be practical, brief, and respectful of religious observance.

As Doucoure stated in a 2023 interview with the BBC, “I always love Ramadan,” adding, “Sometimes playing football has been hard since Ramadan has been in the summer and during pre-season.”

Source: BBC Sport

Source: Yahoo Sports