Ramadan 2022: How Premier League football is changing to help Muslim players

Last season, when Leicester City met Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium, there was a break in play to allow Foxes defender Wesley Fofana and Eagles midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate to do so.

The offering of prayers and the reading of the Quran are increased during Ramadan, as is the donation of money to charity to boost one’s spiritual well-being.

But the emphasis is on fasting, which involves abstaining from eating or drinking during the day, which poses a challenge for Muslim professional footballers who tend to alter their training to cope with the rigors of the month.

Last season, an informal agreement between the captains provided for a brief break during a goal kick or throw-in so that Muslim players who needed it could break their fast.

This season, although no official guidance has been given to Premier League teams as this does not apply to all matches, captains may again request a drink break at an appropriate point in the match during their pre-match meeting. -match with the referees.

Once the sun goes down, it will allow players on an empty stomach to come to the side of the pitch and quickly take fluids or energy supplements before resuming play.

To better understand the basics of Ramadan, members of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) were invited to participate in a workshop led by Nujum Sports on Friday.

The following evening matches could see Muslim players competing for their team while fasting:

Monday april 4th : Crystal Palace – Arsenal (kick-off 8:00 p.m.)

Wednesday 6 April : Burnley – Everton (19h30)

Friday April 8 : Newcastle – Wolves (20h00)

Tuesday April 19 : Liverpool – Manchester United (20h00)

Wednesday April 20 : Chelsea – Arsenal, Everton – Leicester, Newcastle – Crystal Palace (19 h 45), Manchester City – Brighton (20 h).

Thursday April 21 : Burnley – Southampton (19 h 45)

The elderly, the sick, and pregnant, nursing, or menstruating women are not required to fast.

Anyone covering a distance of more than 80km is also exempt, but must make up their fast at a later date, which therefore includes players traveling to away matches.

Muslim Chaplains in Sport (MCS) was formed in 2014 and is the only such organization approved and funded by the Premier League and EFL, working across all 92 professional football clubs to deliver lectures and educational seminars.

Premier League clubs regularly seek Islamic advice from MCS on behalf of their Muslim players, including on issues such as postponing fasting so that their performance in training and in matches is not affected.

“Although there is no Islamic rule for athletes, we give them advice on how they can respect their fast and we discuss possible exemptions, for example when they travel or are sick,” explains Ismail Bhamji, chief executive of MCS, to BBC Sport.

“Muslim footballers come from very diverse backgrounds and we need to find solutions that allow everyone to practice their faith,” he said.

“I was asked by a Premier League club to speak to a Muslim player to postpone his fast during Ramadan. Islamically he does not qualify because some conditions mentioned must be met and I must be open and honest with them on the harsh realities,” he continues.

MCS works closely with the country’s top two clubs, Manchester City and Liverpool, and Mr Bhamji delivered a Ramadan speech at the Etihad Campus on Wednesday, praising their approach to diversity and expanding their knowledge on these issues.

“City and Liverpool are the best performers and I can see the foundations being laid at these two clubs,” he said. “From the academy they have the right people in place with the right mentality and the right vision to help the club through to the first team,” he continues.

“[Les managers] Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp stand out because they are progressive and forward-looking, so I’ve seen improvements made at clubs over several seasons.”

Nujum Sports, which designed the Muslim Athlete Charter to “challenge organizations to create positive change”, is once again sending Ramadan gift packages to 270 Muslim sportspeople, including about 180 footballers from the Premier League and other leagues.

The packets were launched at an event in London earlier this month and contain dates, Zam Zam holy water, a prayer mat and perfume.

Nujum says she feels “privileged” to represent the Muslim community in sport and the organization strives to “benefit” athletes from its support.

Troy Townsend, head of player engagement at charity Kick It Out, said: “Nujum has done a great job: “Nujum has done a really good job of raising awareness about the Muslim community, understanding the religion and what they experience during times like Ramadan.

“I see the power of what Nujum is trying to achieve and how we can work together. There are a lot of players who identify as Muslims that football doesn’t know or appreciate.”