Premier League Ramadan breaks: how English football supports Muslim players

This measure will apply at sunset, which will occur between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT in the United Kingdom. In practice, this time window will mainly concern matches scheduled to kick off at 17:30 on Saturdays and 16:30 on Sundays. Club captains and the refereeing team will have to agree before kick-off on whether a break is needed and set an approximate time for the stoppage.

On Bladi.net : Premier League Introduces Ramadan Breaks for Muslim Players During Matches

The interruption will under no circumstances take place during an active phase of play. The game will be suspended at the first suitable moment, such as a goal kick, a throw-in or a free kick. The players and officials concerned may then move to the edge of the pitch to consume liquids and energy gels.

English championship and Ramadan: logistics adapted since 2021

This official procedure was introduced in April 2021 during a Premier League match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace. The game was stopped around the half-hour mark following a goal kick to allow Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyaté to hydrate. Today, several leading players in the championship observe this fast, including Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Moroccan player Noussair Mazraoui.

On Bladi.net : Premier League Allows Muslim Players to Break Fast During Ramadan Matches

The adaptation of English football to this religious practice extends beyond the pitch. In 2022, Sadio Mané said that Liverpool had changed its training schedules to support its players. In 2023, former Everton player Abdoulaye Doucouré also praised the logistics put in place during away trips, explaining that specific meals and halal food were systematically prepared by the team chefs.