Leeds United issue statement on Ramadan pause for Whites attacker and Norwich City players

Leeds United have asked supporters to respect a pause during Sunday's FA Cup tie so that Joel Piroe and Norwich City players can break their Ramadan fast.

Leeds have confirmed that there will be a pause around the 75th minute of the game after the sun sets so that Muslim players observing the holy month of Ramadan can take on food and drink.

A club statement read: "Leeds United Football Club are asking for respect to be shown during this Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round tie with Norwich City, when play will be paused to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast, including our own striker, Joel Piroe.

“At an appropriate time following sunset in Leeds at 5:56pm, which will be around the 75th minute of our clash with the Canaries, the referee will call a halt to proceedings for a brief period allowing players from both sides to take on fluids and energy supplements in line with agreed protocol."

The club have also addressed the incident during the Man City game at Elland Road last weekend, when boos were heard around Elland Road after referee Peter Bankes halted the game.

A number of visiting players were due to break their fast and went to the touchline to do so, but were followed by both sets of players as Pep Guardiola and Daniel Farke gave impromptu team talks.

Leeds say there were 'mitigating circumstances' to be considered and admitted they could have done more to make supporters aware of what was due to take place, but condemn any disrespect shown towards the religion involved.

The statement read: "This was the first time a game at Elland Road has ever been paused to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast and in hindsight we should have been more proactive with our communications in advance of the Manchester City fixture to explain to supporters that this was going to happen, there was a clear lack of awareness by some attending the fixture.

"Whilst we displayed a message on our big screen at Elland Road to explain why the game had been paused, this was not visible for approximately 25 per cent of the stadium, including the South Stand.

"In our preceding fixture with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in November 2025 the game was controversially stopped in the second half for a ‘tactical timeout’ during an injury break and with the squads congregating on the touchline supporters may have thought this was happening again - a similar incident to this also happened last Tuesday against Sunderland AFC leading to booing.

"At the time of the stoppage, given the intensity at the start of the match, a number of players were confused why the game had been paused, which can be seen clearly on broadcast footage and may have also led to confusion for supporters.

"To be clear, Leeds United Football Club explicitly condemn any supporters in the home or away sections who actively boo players observing Ramadan and use the protocol in place to break their fast.

“We would like to thank everyone who has taken time in recent days to get in touch with us and provide feedback, including our Supporter Advisory Board, in order for us to understand exactly why this situation arose against Manchester City and the lessons which can be learnt moving forwards.

“Football still has a long way to go in eradicating stains on the game, including racism, homophobia, tragedy chanting and the sickening Jimmy Saville taunts our own supporters are subjected to at every match from opposition fans.

“As a club, we will continue to work to ensure that in time, these issues cease to exist. On Sunday against Norwich City, there is an opportunity to show the very best of Leeds United, and that everyone is welcome at Elland Road. All Leeds aren't we."