Pep Guardiola Condemns Fans Booing Ramadan Fast Break at Leeds Match
Pep Guardiola has issued a strong call for football supporters to "respect religion and diversity" after a section of fans audibly jeered a brief stoppage in play at Elland Road. The pause was implemented to allow Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast during Manchester City's 1-0 victory against Leeds United.
Incident Details and Reactions
Play was halted in the 13th minute of the match after sunset, enabling Muslim players to eat, as per an agreed Premier League protocol. Despite a clear message displayed on the stadium's big screen explaining the reason for the interruption, fans were heard booing the situation.
In his post-match comments, Guardiola expressed frustration, stating, "It is a modern world, right? Respect religion, diversity, that is the point. The Premier League says you can have one or two minutes for the fasting players to do it. It is what it is, unfortunately." He emphasized that players like Rayan Cherki and Rayan Aït-Nouri had not eaten all day and needed the break for essential nutrition.
Leeds assistant head coach Edmund Riemer, who attended the press conference in place of Daniel Farke, acknowledged the incident, saying, "I've heard about it. Obviously some of the supporters did it, so we try to learn from it. It's disappointing, we need to do better next time." Farke was shown a red card after the final whistle for confronting the referee over perceived timewasting.
Background on Ramadan in Football
Stoppages for Ramadan have become a regular feature in football matches in recent years. Guardiola had previously discussed how players such as Omar Marmoush, Aït-Nouri, Cherki, and Abdukodir Khusanov manage the complexities of fasting while competing professionally. He noted in a pre-match briefing, "They follow this religious tradition. We have good nutritionists and they adapt to what the team needs. They are used to it – they have been playing many years during this period."
Response from Anti-Discrimination Charity
Kick It Out, the anti-discrimination charity, released a statement condemning the fans' behavior. It read, "It is massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans jeered when Manchester City's players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road. This was compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium." The charity highlighted that such protocols are crucial for making football welcoming to Muslim players and communities, but stressed that education and acceptance remain ongoing challenges in the sport.
The incident underscores broader issues of inclusivity in football, with Guardiola's remarks serving as a reminder of the need for greater understanding and respect across the sporting world.
