Premier League Accommodates Muslim Players During Ramadan with In-Game Breaks

Last season, an informal agreement between the captains provided for a brief pause during a goal kick or throw-in so that Muslim players who needed it could break their fast. For example, during the match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium, there had been a pause during the match to allow Foxes defender Wesley Fofana and Eagles midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate to break their fast. This season, the captains can again request a pause at an appropriate time during the match during their pre-match meeting with the referees. No official directive has been given to the teams so far.

Of the 52 Premier League matches scheduled during Ramadan, there are nine in the evening during which Muslim players will have to break their fast. These are the matches scheduled for Monday, April 4: Crystal Palace-Arsenal (kick-off at 8pm), Wednesday, April 6: Burnley-Everton (7:30pm), Friday, April 8: Newcastle-Wolves (8pm), Tuesday, April 19: Liverpool-Manchester United (8pm), Wednesday, April 20: Chelsea-Arsenal, Everton - Leicester, Newcastle - Crystal Palace (7:45pm), Manchester City - Brighton (8pm) and Thursday, April 21: Burnley - Southampton (7:45pm).

Premier League clubs regularly seek advice from the MCS (Muslim Chaplains in Sport) organization created in 2014 and which is the only organization of its kind to be approved and funded by the Premier League and the EFL - on behalf of their Muslim players, including on issues such as postponing the fast so that their training and match performance is not affected. "Although there is no Islamic rule for athletes, we give them advice on how they can respect their fast and we discuss possible exemptions, for example when they are traveling or sick," Ismail Bhamji, CEO of MCS, told BBC Sport.

MCS works closely with the two top clubs in the UK, Manchester City and Liverpool. During a Ramadan press conference held last Wednesday at the Etihad Campus, Ismail Bhamji praised their approach to diversity and expanding their knowledge on these issues. "City and Liverpool are the most performing and I can see the foundations laid in these two clubs, with the right people in place with the right mindset and vision to help the club up to the first team," he said. "[Managers] Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp stand out because they are progressive and forward-looking, so I’ve seen improvements made to the clubs over several seasons," the official added.