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  • Sports - Football - Gossips
  • Updated: March 21, 2023

EPL, EFL Urge Referees To Pause Evening Games For Players Fasting In Ramadan

EPL, EFL Urge Referees To Pause Evening Games For Players Fa

Referee

In a move that has been hailed as a positive step for inclusivity and diversity, the Premier League and EFL Championship have asked referees to pause evening games during Ramadan to allow players to break their fast.

The holy period, which began on Wednesday 22nd March and runs until Friday, April 21 2023, requires Muslims to abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.

As a result, several high-profile Muslim players, including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez, are expected to fast over the next month.

Referees have been encouraged to wait for a natural stoppage in play, such as a goal kick or a throw-in, before pausing the game to allow Muslim players to take on liquids, energy gels and supplements.

Matches in the Premier League have been paused in the past for players to break their fast, with Burnley's league game against Southampton last season halted in the 41st minute to allow Mohamed Elyounoussi and Yan Valery to refuel.

Chelsea defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana are also set to observe Ramadan too, and the latter was given time to break his fast during a match between Leicester and Crystal Palace two years ago.

The Premier League's stance has previously been to allow games to be stopped if a team puts in a request beforehand, but this time they have sent a clear message to referees ahead of Ramadan getting underway.

The move has been welcomed by many as a positive step towards greater inclusivity and respect for religious practices in the world of professional football.

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