Premier League, EFL Pause Matches for Ramadan Fasting

The Premier League and the English Football League (EFL) will pause select fixtures during Ramadan to allow Muslim players to break their fast at sunset. Ramadan is expected to begin in the last week of March, with sunset times in the United Kingdom falling roughly between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT.

This means that late afternoon and early evening kick-offs, such as Saturday's 17:30 GMT and Sunday's 16:30 GMT matches, will be affected. A short pause will be provided during matches to align with sunset.

The previous season saw captains and referees identify natural stoppages, such as goal kicks and free kicks, to allow players to observe their fast. The formal introduction of this practice occurred in 2021 during a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

High-profile players like Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, and Sadio Mané have been noted for observing Ramadan, with Abdoulaye Doucour praising the league's approach in 2023. Clubs are expected to discuss kick-off times to determine if pauses will be necessary.