English football will once again show its inclusivity as Ramadan begins this week. The Premier League and the English Football League (EFL) will briefly pause selected matches to allow Muslim players to break their fast.
Ramadan will last for a month, with Muslims abstaining from food and drink between dawn and sunset. In the UK, sunset will fall between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT during this period.
Therefore, only specific fixtures may include short pauses. Saturday’s 17:30 kick-offs and Sunday’s 16:30 matches are the most likely to be affected.
As in previous seasons, captains and match officials will identify a natural stoppage. The break will not interrupt active play but occur at goal-kicks, free-kicks, or throw-ins.
Clubs and referees will agree beforehand if a pause is needed, and an approximate time will also be discussed to ensure smooth coordination.
In 2021, the competition formally introduced this accommodation. The first in-game pause came during a clash between Leicester City and Crystal Palace.
That evening, Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate broke their fast during a goal-kick. The moment marked a significant step toward religious accommodation in English football.
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Growing inclusivity across the Premier League during Ramadan
Several prominent Muslim players feature across the division. Stars such as Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Amad Diallo observe the holy month.
“In the Premier League you are free to do whatever suits you. They will never do anything against your faith and this is great,” former Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure told BBC Sport in 2023.
“I fast every day, I don’t miss any day. It has become normal and very easy for me. Training is still the same during Ramadan but when we go [for away matches], we might need to eat later than the others so the chef prepares food for us, making sure everything is in place as at home. We get halal food so there are no problems,” Doucoure added.
Meanwhile, in 2022, former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane revealed training schedules were adjusted to support fasting players.
One of Islam’s five pillars is fasting during Ramadan and English football continues adapting respectfully in balancing elite competition with faith and devotion.
Tags: Premier League, EFL, English FA, English Football League, Ramadan.
