Khaberni - The English Premier League has announced the implementation of a temporary stoppage system during the matches scheduled in Ramadan, aiming to enable Muslim players to safely and comfortably break their fast during play periods.
Ramadan starts this month, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset, including professional athletes.
Despite this, clubs and players around the world continue their training programs and matches during this period, adjusting schedules as much as possible to accommodate the spiritual nature of this holy month.
During this time of the year, the timing of English Premier League evening matches notably aligns with the nature of Ramadan, as most matches conclude after sunset in the United Kingdom, providing Muslim players a suitable opportunity to naturally break their fast after the game.
Sunset in the United Kingdom is around 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM during this period of the year, meaning that the matches that may witness a temporary stoppage to break the fast will be those that kick off at exactly 5:30 PM on Saturday, and 4:30 PM on Sunday.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation "BBC", coordination between team leaders and referees will determine a "natural moment" for a temporary stoppage during the match to give Muslim players a chance to break their fast without affecting the flow of play.
It should be noted that this initiative is not new to the English Premier League, as the former Malian player at Everton, Abdoulaye Doucouré, praised the league for its organization in this respect during his talk with "BBC Sport" in 2023, saying: "In the English Premier League, you are free to do what suits you. They won’t do anything that contradicts your religious beliefs, and that’s great."
Doucouré added: "I fast every day in Ramadan without exception, it has become natural and easy for me."
