English Premier League to observe Ramadan breaks

The Premier League will allow matches to be briefly paused at sunset during Ramadan so Muslim players can break their fast, according to British media reports.

A report by BBC says match officials will check before kickoff whether any players are fasting. If so, the game can be paused at iftar — the time Muslims break their daily fast — allowing players to quickly take fluids or energy supplements before play resumes.

The first widely noted instance occurred in April 2021 during a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

The game was temporarily halted so Leicester defender Wesley Fofana and Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté could break their fast. Both players took liquids and fruits before the match continued.

Since then, short Ramadan pauses have become more common across English football, reflecting growing accommodation for players observing the fast during evening fixtures.

Although not a formal rule change, the practice has been widely welcomed as a practical step that allows matches to proceed while supporting players’ religious observance.