The Premier League and EFL will once again allow matches to be paused during Ramadan to allow players to break their fast and get some nutrition.
The Premier League has confirmed suspension from 2021 (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
A number of Premier League matches will be suspended over the next month to allow players to break their fast during Ramadan. The situation is particularly difficult for athletes, as Muslims who participate in religious holidays refrain from eating and drinking during the day.
Ramadan began earlier this week and ends on the evening of Thursday, March 19th. During this period, sunset is expected to occur between 5pm and 7pm, and only games with a 5:30pm kick-off on Saturday or a 4:30pm kick-off on Sunday will be affected.
This Saturday’s match between West Ham and Bournemouth at 5.30pm will be the first suspension of play during this Ramadan period. West Ham’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Malick Diouf, as well as Bourmas’ Amin Adli and Enes Unal, are all thought to have fasted.
As in previous years, match officials will contact club captains before kick-off to discuss the appropriate time to stop play. Rather than being paused in the middle, the game is paused at convenient points such as goal kicks, free kicks, and throw-ins.
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Former Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure has praised the Premier League for allowing the suspension period seen for the first time in 2021. “In the Premier League you are free to do whatever suits you,” Doucoure told BBC Sport.
“They never do anything that goes against your faith, which is great. I fast every day and don’t miss a day. It’s normal for me and it’s very easy.”
“Training remains the same during Ramadan, but when we go (to an away match) we may have to eat later than others, so the chef prepares the food for us and makes sure everything is in place as it would be at home. We get halal food, so it’s not a problem.”
Ramadan is celebrated every nine months of the Islamic calendar. The next Ramadan is scheduled to take place from February to March 2027.
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The game will be paused at natural points (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Complete list of matches where players will pause for a quick break
Saturday 21st February (Sunset 5:25pm in London)
West Ham vs Bournemouth (5.30pm kick-off)
Sunday 22nd February (sunset 5:27pm in London)
Tottenham vs Arsenal (4:30pm kick-off)
Saturday 28th February (Sunset 5:41pm in Leeds)
Leeds vs Man City (5.30pm kick-off)
Sunday 1st March (sunset 5:40pm in London)
Arsenal vs Chelsea (4:30pm kick-off)
Saturday 14th March (sunset 6:04pm in London)
Chelsea vs Newcastle (5.30pm kick-off)
Sunday 15th March (Sunset 6:15pm in Liverpool)
Liverpool vs. Tottenham (4:30pm kick-off)
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