Leeds fans criticized for booing players during Ramadan
Leeds United assistant manager Edmund Riemer expressed his disappointment after some supporters booed, whistled, and chanted when Muslim players broke their fast during Saturday’s Premier League match against Manchester City at Elland Road, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred in the first half when play was halted for several minutes, allowing Muslim players to consume protein drinks to replenish their energy. Despite this being a standard practice during Ramadan, some fans inside the stadium reacted negatively, prompting surprise among Leeds players.
When asked about the reactions from the stands, Riemer stated, “I’m focused on the game so I don’t really hear it but disappointed with some supporters that that happened.” This incident overshadowed what was a challenging match for Leeds, culminating in a 1-0 defeat following Antoine Semenyo’s goal during stoppage time in the first half.
Riemer highlighted the team’s effort, declaring, “It was an outstanding performance again, we put a big shift in and once again it was an unbelievable performance for the lads.” He acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in seizing attacking opportunities, stating, “We should have scored a goal. I don’t think we allowed too many chances; it was quite equal. But we concede at the worst possible time. The ball down the line was difficult to defend. They waited for this one moment, and fair play to them.”
Looking ahead, Riemer is optimistic about the team’s prospects against Sunderland on Tuesday, urging players to recover well and deliver another impressive display.
This incident serves as a reminder of how deeply intertwined football and cultural sensitivity can be, particularly in today’s increasingly diverse sporting arenas.
