The Premier League and English Football League have confirmed that match officials will allow short in-game pauses during Ramadan so Muslim players and referees can break their fast after sunset.

The arrangement applies to fixtures that overlap with iftar, the time when Muslims end their daily fast. In the United Kingdom during Ramadan, sunset typically falls between late afternoon and early evening, meaning the pauses are most likely during early evening weekend kick-offs.

Under the guidance issued to referees, play will not be halted arbitrarily. Instead, the referee will wait for a natural stoppage, such as a goal-kick, free-kick, or throw-in, before signalling for a brief pause. At that point, fasting players and officials can quickly drink water or energy drinks and take on small amounts of nutrition, such as energy gels, on the touchline.

This protocol was first widely noticed in April 2021, when a Premier League match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was briefly paused shortly after sunset. Leicester defender Wesley Fofana and Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté, both observing Ramadan, were allowed to hydrate before play resumed. The moment was praised across the game as a simple but powerful gesture of inclusion.

Since then, the practice has become an established part of matchday planning. Before any fixture that may run across sunset, club staff and match officials discuss whether a Ramadan pause is needed and agree roughly when it might occur. The aim is to ensure the break is anticipated, discreet, and does not disrupt the rhythm of the contest.

League officials say the policy is designed to balance elite performance with respect for religious observance, recognising that fasting players are still expected to compete at the highest level. The short pauses are framed as practical and respectful, rather than symbolic.

Muslim footballers are now prominent across English football, including high-profile names such as Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Amad Diallo. For them and many others in the professional game, the Ramadan breaks offer a small but significant accommodation that allows them to honour their faith without stepping away from competition.

The move is seen as part of a broader effort within English football to create an environment in which players of all backgrounds can participate fully while maintaining the integrity and intensity of the sport.