The Football Association (FA) has confirmed that FA Cup matches coinciding with Ramadan will include brief pauses to allow Muslim players to break their fast. This initiative accommodates players who observe the Islamic holy month, during which adherents abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.
Ramadan is expected to begin this weekend, potentially affecting Manchester City’s match against Plymouth on Saturday and Manchester United’s match against Fulham on Sunday.
The FA’s fifth-round fact sheet outlines the procedure: “Players observing Ramadan will be permitted a short pause in play to break their fast. An approximate time will be agreed when the pause will take place, and it will not be used as a team drinks break or tactical time-out.”
Manchester City’s Saturday fixture kicks off at 17:45 GMT, with sunset scheduled for 17:47 GMT. Manchester United’s game on Sunday begins at 16:30 GMT, and sunset is at 17:49 GMT.
Muslim players who could be involved in these matches include Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khuzanov, Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui, and Fulham’s Adama Traore. Plymouth manager Miron Muslic is also a Muslim.
This practice aligns with similar directives issued by the Premier League in recent years. During Ramadan, Premier League matches have incorporated breaks during natural stoppages in play, such as goal kicks, free kicks, or throw-ins, to allow Muslim players to break their fast.
Ramadan is projected to run from March 1st to March 30th this year, with an official announcement confirming the start date expected later on Friday. The FA Cup quarter-finals are scheduled for the weekend of March 29th and 30th, potentially also requiring accommodation for fasting players. The FA’s decision reflects a growing awareness and accommodation of religious practices within professional football.
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