Full list of Premier League games set to pause for Ramadan as players break fast
The Premier League and EFL will again allow matches to be briefly paused in order for players who are observing Ramadan to break their fast and take nutrients on board
A number of Premier League matches will be paused over the next month to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast. Muslims taking part in the religious holiday abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours, making it especially challenging for athletes.
Ramadan began earlier this week and will end on the evening of Thursday, March 19. During this period, the sun is expected to set between the hours of 5pm and 7pm, meaning that the only games affected will be those kicking off at 5:30pm on a Saturday or at 4:30pm on a Sunday.
The clash between West Ham and Bournemouth at 5:30pm this Saturday is set to mark the first in-game break of this Ramadan. West Ham duo Jean-Clair Todibo and Malick Diouf, alongside Bouremouth’s Amine Adli and Enes Unal, are all thought to be fasting.
Just like in previous years, match officials will liaise with club captains prior to kick-off and discuss an appropriate time to stop play. Games won’t be paused mid-flow but at the earliest convenient time, such as at a goal-kick, free-kick or throw-in.
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Ex-Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure hailed the Premier League for allowing the breaks which were first seen in 2021. “In the Premier League you are free to do whatever suits you,” Doucoure told BBC Sport.
“They will never do anything against your faith and this is great. I fast every day, I don’t miss any day. It has become normal and very easy for me.
“Training is still the same during Ramadan but when we go [for away matches], we might need to eat later than the others so the chef prepares food for us, making sure everything is in place as at home. We get halal food so there are no problems.”
Ramadan takes place every ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The next Ramadan is set to take place across February and March 2027.
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Full list of matches to pause for players breaking fast
Saturday, February 21 (sunset in London 5:25pm)
West Ham vs Bournemouth (kick-off 5:30pm)
Sunday February 22 (sunset in London 5:27pm)
Tottenham vs Arsenal (kick-off 4:30pm)
Saturday, February 28 (sunset in Leeds 5:41pm)
Leeds vs Man City (kick-off 5:30pm)
Sunday, March 1 (sunset in London 5:40pm)
Arsenal vs Chelsea (kick-off 4:30pm)
Saturday, March 14 (sunset in London 6:04pm)
Chelsea vs Newcastle (kick-off 5:30pm)
Sunday, March 15 (sunset in Liverpool 6:15pm)
Liverpool vs Tottenham (kick-off 4:30pm)
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