The English Premier League Allows Breakfast Breaks for Muslim Players During Ramadan
The Premier League and the English Football League announced a new step to support Muslim players, as a short break will be available during matches in Ramadan to allow players to break their fast, in a measure that considers fasting times without affecting the flow of the matches.
According to BBC reports, an agreement will be made in advance between teams and referees on the appropriate time for the break, and this break will not be used for any tactical purposes or for drinking water.
The break will occur at the earliest possible opportunity, such as a goal kick, free kick, or throw-in, without slowing down the game during play.
It is worth noting that this practice first began in April 2021 during a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace, when the match was paused at a goal kick around the 30th minute, allowing both Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyaté to consume fluids and energy drinks.
Among the Muslim players in the Premier League are Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, William Saliba from Arsenal, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri from Manchester City, in addition to Amad Diallo of Manchester United and others.
In 2022, former Liverpool player Sadio Mané revealed that the club adjusted training schedules to support its Muslim players during Ramadan, reflecting the league and teams' commitment to creating a suitable environment for fasting without affecting athletic performance.
