You may notice a slight change in some Premier League games in the coming weeks. Saturday marks the beginning of Ramadan for Muslims around the world, which takes place over a month, and ends with the celebration of Eid on May 2. Fasting in the UK this Ramadan will start between 04:00 and 05:00 BST and end between 19:30 and 20:30 as the month progresses. This means that out of the 52 Premier League matches scheduled to take place during Ramadan, there are nine evening matches in which players may need to break their fast during the match. Last season in the meeting between Leicester City and Crystal Palace at King Power Stadium, there was a pause in the game to allow Foxes defender Wesley Fofana and Eagles midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate. Leicester Wesley Fofana also broke his fast against Southampton last season by eating a banana during a break in the game.
What will happen this season?
The offering of prayers and the recitation of the Qur’an increase during Ramadan, along with the donation of money to charity to replenish one’s spiritual well-being. But the main focus is on fasting – abstaining from food or drink during the day – something that is a challenge for Muslim professional footballers who tend to change their training to deal with the hardships of the month. Last season, there was an informal agreement between the leaders to allow a short break in a goal kick or side out, so that any Muslim player needed to be able to break his fast. This season, although no official guidance has been given to top teams, as it does not affect every game, the captains can still request a drink break at the appropriate time of the game during the pre-match meeting with the referees. . As soon as the sun goes down, it will allow the fasting players to come to the edge of the court and quickly get fluids or any energy supplements before continuing the game. To better understand the basics of Ramadan, members of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) were booked to take over a workshop led by Nujum Sportsexternal-link on Friday.
Which matches could be affected?
In the next night matches the Muslim players could play for their teams while fasting: Monday, April 4: Crystal Palace – Arsenal (20:00 start) Wednesday 6 April: Burnley – Everton (19:30) Friday, April 8: Newcastle – Wolves (20:00) Tuesday 19 April: Liverpool – Manchester United (20:00) Wednesday, April 20: Chelsea – Arsenal, Everton – Leicester, Newcastle – Crystal Palace (all 19:45), Manchester City – Brighton (20:00) Thursday, April 21: Burnley – Southampton (19:45)
“Not everyone needs to fast …”
Muslim sports priests have written a leaflet for Ramadan which has been approved and distributed by the Premier League. The elderly, the sick and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating do not need to fast. Anyone traveling more than 48 miles (80 km) is also eligible, but must complete their fast at a later date, so this includes players going to away games. The Muslim Chaplains in Sport (MCS) external association was established in 2014 and is the only organization of its kind supported and funded by the Premier League and the EFL, working in all 92 professional football clubs to provide training lectures and seminars. Premier League clubs regularly seek Islamic guidance from the MCS on behalf of their Muslim players, including issues such as postponing fasting, so as not to affect their performance in training and during matches. “Although there is no Islamic ruling on athletes, we provide advice on how they can fast and discuss whether they qualify for exemptions, such as when traveling or are ill,” said MCS CEO Ismail Bhamji. on BBC Sport. “Muslim footballers come from different backgrounds and we have to find solutions that would work for everyone to exercise their faith. “A Premier League club asked me to talk to a Muslim player to postpone his fast during Ramadan. Islamic, he does not qualify because certain conditions have to be met and I have to be open and honest with them about it. with the harsh realities. “ MCS works closely with the country’s two top clubs, Manchester City and Liverpool, and Bamji delivered a speech on Ramadan at the Etihad Campus on Wednesday, also praising their approach to diversity and expanding their knowledge of issues. “City and Liverpool have the best performance and I see the foundations being laid for both clubs,” he said. “From the academy onwards, they have the right people with the right mentality and vision to help the club to the first team. “[Managers] “Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp stand out because they are progressive and thoughtful in the future, so I have seen improvements in clubs over several seasons.”
Players were given gift packages for Ramadan
Wolves winger Ryan Ait-Nuri and Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic received the Ramadan matches, while Derby coach Wayne Rooney distributed them to the academy’s players. Nujum Sports, which devised the Muslim Athlete Charter to “challenge organizations to bring about positive change,” is once again sending Ramadan gift packages to 270 Muslim athletes and women, including about 180 footballers from the Premier League and non-Premier League. championships. The packages were released at an event in London earlier this month and contain dates, Zam Zam holy water, a prayer mat and perfume. Nujum says he feels “privileged” to represent the Muslim community in sports and the organization is working to “help benefit” athletes with their support. Troy Townsend, head of the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, said: “Nujum has done a great job of raising awareness of the Muslim community, understanding religion and what they go through during Ramadan. “I can see the power in what Nujum is trying to achieve and how we can work together. There are many players who are recognized as Muslims that football does not know or appreciate.” Ramadan packages contained dates, holy water Zam Zam, a prayer mat and perfume.
