Premier League Set for Ramadan Breaks – Here’s What It Means for Liverpool

The Premier League is implementing official breaks during evening matches to accommodate Muslim players observing Ramadan, a policy with direct implications for Liverpool FC and star forward Mohamed Salah.[1][3]

Referees in the Premier League and English Football League have received guidance to pause games at natural stoppages—like goal kicks or throw-ins—allowing fasting players to hydrate and consume energy gels or supplements around sunset. This practice, first formalized in 2021, ensures fairness for athletes abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk during the holy month of fasting, worship, and reflection.[1][3][5]

For Liverpool, the spotlight falls on Mohamed Salah, one of the league's top Muslim players alongside figures like Chelsea's N'Golo Kanté and Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez. Salah, known for his prolific scoring, has consistently observed Ramadan without compromising performance. The breaks mitigate physical strain from intense training and matches, enabling players to maintain peak condition. Clubs adjust schedules, providing halal meals post-sunset (Iftar) and pre-dawn (Suhoor), while captains coordinate with officials pre-match.[1][3][5]

Historical precedents include the 2021 Leicester City vs. Crystal Palace halt for Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate, and a Burnley-Southampton pause last year. Everton's Abdoulaye Doucouré has shared that fasting integrates seamlessly with football: "I fast every day... Training is still the same."[1][3][5]

Beyond players, clubs foster inclusivity through Open Iftar events at stadiums, welcoming all faiths. As Ramadan approaches—expected around late February 2026 based on lunar sightings—this adaptation underscores the Premier League's commitment to diversity, potentially boosting Liverpool's edge by supporting Salah's spiritual and athletic balance amid a title race.[3][5]

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