The Premier League confirm return of Ramadan breaks for fasting players | OneFootball

The Premier League have confirmed that Muslim players will once again be permitted to break their fast mid-match during Ramadan.

The policy, originally introduced in 2021, allows for a natural pause in play such as a goal-kick or throw-in to allow players to take on fluids and energy gels at sunset.

The Premier League first sanctioned mid-match fast-breaking in April 2021 during a clash between Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

Officials paused play at a goal-kick around the 30-minute mark, allowing Leicester’s Wesley Fofana and Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate to head to the touchline for liquids and energy gels. This landmark moment established the framework for the “natural stoppage” policy that remains in use across the top flight today.

With Ramadan running from Tuesday 17 February to Wednesday 18 March 2026, several high-profile fixtures will be affected, including this weekend’s North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal.

Referees have been reaching out to clubs to identify players who will be fasting. While the pauses are brief and strictly non-tactical, they represent a significant step in the league’s commitment to inclusivity.

Because sunset in the UK currently falls between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT, the primary games impacted will be throughout the month will be Saturday 17:30 kick-off and Sunday 16:30 kick-offs.

The sheer volume of players observing Ramadan this year is significant across almost every major squad in the division. At Arsenal, the defensive line is led by William Saliba. Aston Villa rely heavily on the midfield engine room of Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara, both of whom are key figures in Unai Emery’s system.

Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo will be making accommodations this month.

The Merseyside and Manchester clubs also feature prominent stars who will benefit from this. Liverpool icons Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitiké while Manchester City’s squad includes the likes of Rayan Ait-Nouri,Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United will look to support Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Altay Bayindir.

Further north, Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw and Everton’s trio of Idrissa Gana Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye, and Abdoulaye Doucoure are all expected to observe the fast. Tottenham’s midfield duo of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, Djed Spence and Mohammed Kudus all have said they are Muslim, although the latter is currently injured.

This weekend provides the first major test of the policy during high-profile matches such as West Ham’s clash with Bournemouth as players such as Jean-Clair Todibo and Malick Diouf face off against a Bournemouth side featuring Amine Adli and Enes Ünal and the North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal. Referees will be tasked with identifying the earliest convenient moment after sunset to allow fasting players to break their fast.

Ultimately, the reintroduction of these breaks signals a continued era of inclusivity in English football, ensuring that religious observance and competitive integrity can exist side-by-side on the Premier League stage