In God's Name: Premier League, EFL To Allow Ramadan Breaks For Muslim Players

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 15:42 IST

Premier League and English Football League will pause matches during Ramadan for Muslim players to break their fast, continuing a policy started in 2021.

The Premier League and English Football League will once again pause matches during Ramadan to allow Muslim players to break their fast, marking a continuation of a policy that has become part of English football’s calendar in recent years.

Ramadan begins this week and lasts for around a month. During that time, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset.

In the UK, sunset will fall roughly between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT over the coming weeks, meaning only fixtures that overlap with that window,  such as Saturday’s 17:30 kick-offs and Sunday’s 16:30 kick-offs, are likely to require a brief pause.

As in previous seasons, captains and match officials will identify a natural stoppage in play to allow those observing Ramadan to take on fluids or energy supplements.

The timing of any pause will be discussed before kick-off, with an approximate moment agreed in advance. Importantly, the break will not function as a tactical time-out or a general drinks break for the entire team.

Play will continue uninterrupted during active passages, stopping only at the earliest convenient opportunity — typically during a goal-kick, free-kick or throw-in.

The first such pause came in April 2021, when a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was stopped during a goal-kick to allow Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate to break their fast — a small moment that carried significant symbolic weight.

The Impact Of Inclusive Policies

English football’s squads are increasingly diverse, reflecting a range of nationalities, races and religions. The number of Muslim players in the top tiers has steadily grown, bringing broader cultural visibility and, many argue, helping foster greater understanding of Islam within the game and beyond. Young fans, in particular, now see more Muslim role models performing on the biggest stages.

In 2021, the Premier League introduced the Muslim Athletes’ Charter, encouraging organisations to “create positive change" in supporting Muslim sportsmen and women. That same year, an agreement formalised in-game pauses for breaking the fast.

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