FA Cup ties to pause for fasting Muslim players during Ramadan

Muslim players will briefly pause during the Ramadan to allow them to observe their fast during FA Cup games.

This weekend’s game between Manchester City and Plymouth on Saturday and Manchester United’s match against Fulham are the likely dates for the Islamic holy month.

Muslims will observe daylight hours fasting, which means they will refrain from consuming any food or beverages.

According to the Football Association’s fifth-round fact sheet, “Players may take a brief break during the Ramadan to observe their fast.”

The pause will be scheduled for an approximate time, and it won’t be used as a tactical timeout or a break for the team.

The kickoff for City is 17:45 GMT, with the sun setting at 17:49, while United’s game begins at 16:30 GMT, with the sun setting at 17:49.

Players may take a brief break from their fast while playing during the Ramadan. The pause will be set at a roughly agreed time, but it won’t be used as a tactical timeout or a break for the team.

City’s Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khuzanov, United’s Noussair Mazraoui and Fulham wing Adama Traore, as well as Plymouth manager Miron Muslic, who is also a Muslim, may be in action.

United has been contacted by BBC Sport for comment, and City has declined to comment.

Players breaking their fasts during a natural stoppage in play, such as a goal-kick, free-kick, or throw-in, have been issued by the Premier League during Ramadan in recent years.

Ramadan will start on March 1 through March 30th, 2018, with a date announcement set for later on Friday.