FA Cup Fixtures to Allow Short Pauses for Muslim Players to Break Fast

IQNA – The Football Association (FA) has announced that FA Cup matches during Ramadan will include brief stoppages to allow Muslim players to break their fast.

This decision aligns with previous measures taken in English football to accommodate players observing the Islamic holy month.

Ramadan, which began on March 1, coincides with key FA Cup fifth-round fixtures, including Manchester City’s match against Plymouth on Saturday and Manchester United’s game against Fulham on Sunday.

With fasting observed from dawn to sunset, the FA has instructed referees to permit a short pause at a predetermined time, ensuring players can break their fast while maintaining the flow of the match, The New Arab reported on Saturday.

However, these breaks cannot be used for tactical discussions or hydration purposes.

Sunset timings will determine the exact moment of the stoppage. For example, City's match against Plymouth kicks off at 17:45 GMT on Saturday, just two minutes before sunset at 17:47 GMT, meaning the break will occur early in the game. United’s match against Fulham, starting at 16:30 GMT on Sunday, may see a pause later in the match as sunset is at 17:49 GMT.

Several Muslim players are expected to take part, including City’s Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov, United defender Noussair Mazraoui, and Fulham’s Adama Traore. Plymouth manager Miron Muslic will also be observing the fast.

The initiative mirrors similar policies in the Premier League, where referees have previously allowed stoppages for fasting players. Ramadan, which runs until the end of March, will also overlap with the FA Cup quarter-finals scheduled for March 29 and 30.

Source: Agencies