The Premier League and the English Football League have confirmed that matches will include brief pauses during Ramadan to allow Muslim players and match officials to break their fast after sunset.

According to BBC Sport, Ramadan begins this week and will last for about a month. During the holy month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset.

With sunset in the UK typically falling between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT during this period, only Saturday 17:30 kick-offs and Sunday 16:30 kick-offs are likely to require short pauses.

The Premier League explained that play will not be stopped mid-action. Instead, at the earliest convenient moment, such as a goal-kick, free-kick, or throw-in, players and officials observing Ramadan will be allowed a brief break to hydrate and replenish their energy.

The procedure has been in place since April 2021, when a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was paused to allow Muslim players to break their fast.

That measure enabled Leicester’s Wesley Fofana and Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate to hydrate and take energy supplements shortly after sunset.

Clubs and match officials are expected to discuss the need for such stoppages before each relevant fixture, ensuring minimal disruption while respecting religious observance.

Notable Muslim players in English football who could benefit from the arrangement include Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Amad Diallo.

The move reflects efforts by English football authorities to accommodate religious practices while maintaining the competitive flow of matches.