(BBC) – Numerous boos were heard from fans during the brief interruption of play to allow fasting players to break their fast, at Saturday's Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester City.
The match at Elland Road started with some players still fasting, and was abandoned in the 13th minute. Players who were fasting came out near the touchline and ended their fast by drinking.
A message appeared on the big screen in the stadium.
"As tonight's match takes place during the holy month of Ramadan, play has been briefly interrupted to allow the players to break their fast."
City had three Muslim starters, Rayan Cherkin, Rayah Ait-Nourin and Omar Marmoushin. Abdukodi Khusanov was on the bench.
also
Leeds react to fans' booing during iftar
Asked about the boos, Leeds assistant manager Edmund Riemer told SkySports: "I'm focused on the game so I don't really hear it. But I'm disappointed with some of the fans that it happened."
At the press conference, Reimer added that "we will try to learn from this and we have to do better next time."
City won the match 1-0, with Antoine Semenyo's goal in first-half stoppage time.
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola also spoke about the stoppage of play.
"We took some vitamins because Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri didn't eat today. It's the modern world, isn't it? You see what's happening in the world today. Respect religion, diversity, that's the point. The Premier League says you can have one or two minutes. Players who are fasting can have this time to finish their fast. It happened the way it happened, unfortunately," Guardiola stressed.
also
Guardiola's decision: Day off before the super match with Real Madrid
The anti-discrimination group, Kick it Out, said the boos were extremely disappointing.
"Pausing play to allow Muslim players to finish their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed-upon protocol for many years now," the group said.
"It's an important and visible part of making the game welcoming to Muslim players and communities. But, as the reaction in the stadium showed, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance."
Team captains and match officials find a natural break in the game to allow Muslim players or match officials to finish their fast in time.
In 2021, an agreement was reached to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Premier League matches.
also
Goalkeeper "invented injury" to allow teammates to end fast
"I think it's really good for the players. We talk about athletes and how well prepared they are. To go that long without food or drink, it's really important for them to have that rest," said former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
The interruption of play lasted 78 seconds.
