The Premier League and English Football League have confirmed they will continue to allow a break in play for Muslim players to break their fasts during Ramadan.
The initiative, which was first introduced in 2021, allows Muslim players to come to the sideline and take in fluids or food during a natural pause in play, such as a goal kick or throw-in.
Ramadan, one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims, runs from February 17 to March 19 this year. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset.
In the UK, sunset during Ramadan will range from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., putting it in the middle of several games throughout the holy month.
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This weekend will see West Ham and Bournemouth kick off at 5:30 p.m. UK time on Saturday, with Arsenal and Tottenham meeting Sunday in the north London derby at 4:30 p.m. UK time.
League officials have been reaching out to clubs in an effort to identify players who will be fasting.
Per the BBC, there were 253 Muslim players in the first teams and academies of the top four tiers of English soccer as of 2023.
The list of Muslim players currently in the Premier League includes Chelsea's Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo, Tottenham's Djed Spence, Arsenal's William Saliba, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester United's Amad Diallo.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Premier League to use Ramadan breaks for fasting players
