During Ramadan, Muslim Premier League players who have been fasting will be given a brief pause in Tuesday’s matches to eat and drink at pitch side. The referee will signal for a break if clubs have requested it before the game.In Everton’s match against Tottenham, the game was stopped in the 26th minute to allow fasting players to take energy supplements. Although sunset was before kick-off, a drinks break was pre-agreed with the referee when both teams came to the side of the pitch to take on fluids.
Matches will not stop in mid-flow, but at the earliest convenient moment during a goal-kick, free-kick or throw-in. Teams and match officials will discuss beforehand whether a pause is required and an approximate time for the stoppage will be agreed. There may be a delay in the start of the 19:45 BST kick-offs to allow players to break their fast. In the coming years, breaks in play for fasting players during Ramadan will be a regular occurrence since the Islamic calendar follows the lunar calendar, causing Ramadan to start about 10 days earlier each year.
