Leeds United v Manchester City Elland Road fixture could include Ramadan fasting pause
Leeds United’s Elland Road meeting with Manchester City could be paused in the first half for players breaking their Ramadan fast.
The Premier League confirmed that they would maintain the annual tradition of allowing a natural stoppage in play in games that take place during sunset, in order to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast. The English top flight first took the step in April 2021, briefly stopping games to allow players to take on food and drink. Games that take place during the Saturday 5.30pm and Sunday 4.30pm slots are the only fixtures in which the pause will take place. The Premier League position is that games will not stop while the ball is in play and in full flow, but take a brief break during a convenient moment once sunset occurs.
Muslims worldwide, including a number of players at Manchester City are currently observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Leeds do not have any players observing, but club sources have told the YEP that Saturday’s game will pause if any of City’s starting XI need to break their fast at the side of the pitch. A decision will be taken once Pep Guardiola’s starting XI is known. The sun is due to set in Leeds at 5.41pm on Saturday.
The BBC asked Guardiola about the support clubs can give their Muslim players. He said: “They follow this religious tradition. We have good nutritionists and they adapt to what the team needs. We cannot adapt the schedule for the Premier League [kick-off] times and I think they are used to it - they are not young and have been playing [for] many years during this period. For the players I think it is not new. Both Rayans, Omar and Khusa, it is not the first time for [observing] Ramadan and they know perfectly how to handle it."