Leeds say boos during Ramadan pause ‘disappointing’

Leeds United have said loud boos during a brief pause in play to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast in Saturday’s match at Elland Road were “disappointing”.

In the 13th minute of the 17:30 GMT kick-off in the Premier League, players from Leeds and visitors Manchester City came to the side of the pitch to take on fluids and energy supplements.

But there was a cacophony of jeers and whistles throughout the break which lasted about a minute.

Comments under Leeds’ Instagram posts from the weekend have been inundated with messages about Ramadan and the reaction of supporters to the break.

It is understood a number of fans have emailed the club expressing their anger at the lack of public response from the club, with one saying they were “deeply disturbed” and “embarrassed” by what took place.

In a generic email reply sent by Leeds’ supporter liaison officer, seen by BBC Sport, it said: “The club is aware of the incident and it was disappointing that some supporters chose to boo during the pause in play to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast.

“The club is currently looking into why this happened and what can be done moving forwards to prevent incidents of a similar nature happening again in the future.”

Leeds manager Daniel Farke was asked about the matter in his pre-match news conference before Tuesday’s Premier League game against Sunderland at Elland Road (19:30).

“To be honest, if it was really disrespectful in these terms because of the break, then you have to say we all have to learn out of this,” he said.

“During the game, it was not my feeling because it was a surprise for everyone that there was this little break.”

Leeds lost the reverse fixture at Etihad Stadium in November and Farke accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to “bend the rules”, which allowed boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for.

Farke said: “I am not sure everyone was aware when the sun went down and we had the first game against Manchester City and we had the stoppage when Pep [Guardiola] got all the players together and spoke to them.

“We had a such a good start to this game, we were battling them and all over them in the first 10 minutes and our supporters had the feeling they are doing the same as the first game and because of this they were booing.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with the break for Ramadan – I don’t think anyone was really aware. Someone told me it was on the screen but I am not sure at this moment everyone watches the screen.

“If it was from some people’s point of view being disrespectful then it is not acceptable and we have to learn out of it. In general, football and we as a dressing room, there is no better place for living together with different passports, different religions than the football club and our group.

“I know there is a big solidarity and everyone supports the same group. My gut feeling is supporters did not even know what was happening.”

It is understood the club have privately acknowledged their communication to supporters before the City game was inadequate.

Referee Peter Bankes blew his whistle during the first half and there was initial confusion from supporters as to why there was a stoppage with booing taking place.

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.”

However, the screen is not visible to all supporters and the jeers grew louder.

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

Manager Guardiola condemned the actions of supporters, saying: “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”, while Leeds assistant Eddie Riemer added in the post-match media conference “we try to learn out of it” and “need to do better next time”.