Boos heard during Ramadan pause at Elland Road

Boos could be heard during a brief break in play to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast during Saturday’s Premier League game between Leeds United and Manchester City.

The 17:30 GMT kick-off at Elland Road was paused in the 13th minute as both sets of players came to the side of the pitch to take on fluids.

A message was displayed on the big screen inside the stadium stating: “As tonight’s match takes place inside the holy month of Ramadan, play has been paused briefly to allow players to break their fast.”

City had three Muslim players – Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush – in their starting line-up, with Abdukodir Khusanov on the bench.

BBC Sport has contacted Leeds United for comment.

Asked about the booing, Leeds assistant manager Edmund Riemer told Sky Sports: “I’m focused on the game so I don’t really hear it, but disappointed with some supporters that that happened.”

Riemer added in the post-match media conference “we try to learn out of it” and “need to do better next time”.

Ramadan – during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset – began on the evening of 17 February and lasts for a month.

With sunset in the UK ranging from about 17:00 to 19:00 during this period, the only games that could feature a break in play are Saturday’s 17:30 kick-off and Sunday’s 16:30 kick-off between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: “We took on a little bit of vitamins because [Rayan] Cherki, [Rayan] Ait-Nouri did not eat today.

“It is a modern world, right? [You see] what is happening in the world today. Respect religion, diversity, that is the point.

“The Premier League says you can have one or two minutes, you can have for the [fasting] players to do it [break their fast]. It is what it is, unfortunately.”

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said the booing was “massively disappointing”.

“Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now,” it said.

“It’s an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players and communities.

“But as tonight’s reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance.”

Club captains and match officials find a natural pause in the game to allow Muslim players or match officials to break their fast.

In 2021, an agreement was put in place to allow Muslim players to break their fast during a Premier League match.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think it’s very good for the players. We talk about the athletes and how fine-tuned they are at the moment.