Refereeing bodies have told Premier League and English Football League match officials to pause play so players can break their fast during the holy period of Ramadan, ESPN reported on Tuesday.
Match officials have been issued guidance so players can break their fast by taking on liquids, energy gels, or supplements on the touchline during a pause in play.
The holy period of Ramadan, which is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is set to start on Wednesday and will end on the evening of Friday, April 21.
Referees have also been encouraged to identify players who are fasting prior to kickoff and agree on an estimated time for the pause in play.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez are among players who are expected to abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
The first match where this could apply is likely to be the clash between Leeds and Liverpool at Elland Road on Monday, April 17. Sunset in the Yorkshire city is scheduled for 8:10 pm, 10 minutes after kick-off, with Salah among the players who could feature in the match.
In 2021, a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was halted by referee Graham Scott after half an hour so Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate could break their fast after sunset.
