Referees asked to allow players break their fast during Ramadhan

Former Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana breaking his Ramadan fast mid-match | Courtesy photo

FOOTBALL Referees asked to allow players break their fast during Ramadhan

Shafic Kiyaga 13:14 - 21.03.2023

The guidance follows a precedent set two years ago when Leicester City's match with Crystal Palace was paused mid-game to allow players to break their fast.

Football Authorities in Britain have asked match officials to allow players to break their fast during evening matches over the holy period of Ramadan, according to a Sky Sports.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection.

During this period, many of the best footballers in Britain, including Premier League stars like Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez, and Chelsea's Ngolo Kante, are expected to fast and abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours.

As a result, match officials have been issued with guidance from refereeing bodies to allow for a natural pause in play to enable players to break their fast by taking on liquids or energy gels or supplements.

They have also been encouraged to identify any players who may need to break their fast during the game and agree on a rough time for this to happen.

The guidance follows a precedent set two years ago when Leicester City's match with Crystal Palace was paused mid-game to allow players to break their fast.

Both clubs agreed pre-match with referee Graham Scott that there would be a pause in play to allow Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate to break their Ramadan fast.

Vicente Guiata delayed taking a goal kick just after the half-hour mark at the King Power Stadium to allow Fofana and Kouyate to take energy gels at the side of the pitch.