Manager Josep Guardiola called on fans to “respect their religion” after boos could be heard during Man City’s win over Leeds during a brief break for many players to break their Ramadan fast.
There was a 78-second stoppage of play at 13 minutes after sunset, around 5:42 p.m., to allow players participating in their daily fast to eat and drink on the touchline.
Loud boos could be clearly heard from the stands at Elland Road, despite a message on the screen telling the players to stop play to stop the rush.
As part of Ramadan fasting, observers are required to abstain from all food and drink (including water) from dawn to dusk.
After the match, Man City manager Guardiola told Sky Sports: “This is the modern world, right? You know what happened in the world again today, right?”
“Respecting religion, respecting diversity. That’s the important thing. That’s the rule, we didn’t say that. When it comes to fasting, it’s the Premier League who said they can spend a minute or two during the game doing that and the players can do that.”
“Well, that’s what it is. It’s a shame.”
Leeds manager Daniel Farke was sent off at full time in the 1-0 defeat, with assistant manager Edmund Riemer speaking to the media after the match and expressing his “disappointment” at the reaction of some supporters to the suspension.
“I was focused on the match,” he told Sky Sports. “We’re disappointed with some of our supporters, but we’re learning from that.”
“There’s a long way to go before soccer is accepted.”
Kick It Out, a charity set up in 1993 to combat discrimination in football, said it was “deeply disappointed” by the booing from some supporters.
They wrote: “It is deeply disappointing that some Leeds United fans heckled Manchester City players when they broke their fast in the first half of tonight’s game at Elland Road.”
“The situation was made worse by the explanations displayed on the big screens inside the stadium.
“Pausing games to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been a protocol agreed upon for several years. It is an important and visible part of making games welcoming to Muslim players and communities.”
“But as tonight’s reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance.”
