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TWO players were allowed to break their Ramadan fast midgame during a Premier League clash between Leicester City and Crystal Palace.
The clubs agreed pre-match with referee Graham Scott that there would be a pause during Monday’s (26) game to allow Wesley Fofana (Leicester) and Cheikhou Kouyate(Palace) to break their fast, a Sky Sports report said.
The match took place as the sun set, and Fofana and Kouyate were permitted to break their fast midgame, which Leicester won 2-1.
Significantly, because of the agreement with Palace, Fofana was able to play the full 94 minutes, the report added. Muslims fast during daylight hours
for Ramadan, making it difficult for footballers to maintain their energy levels.
It’s believed to be the first time in Premier League history that a game has been paused to allow Muslim players to eat and drink mid-game, in accordance with the rules of Ramadan, the report added.
Later, Fofana thanked the Premier League for allowing him to break his fast.
“Just wanted to thank the @premierleague as well as @ CPFC, @vguaita13 all the Foxes for allowing me to break my fast tonight in the middle of the game. That’s what makes football wonderful,” he tweeted.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers had substituted Fofana after an hour against West Bromwich Albion last Thursday (22), saying he wanted to protect his player.
“I thought if I could get him off then he could get some food into him on the bench, and just protect him a little bit,” Rodgers said after the game last week. “I’ve worked with lots of players with devotion to their faiths and for a lot of the guys it gives them strength. “He’s finding an incredible strength to play continuously and train during Ramadan. He’s a special talent and a big player for us.”