Pep Guardiola calls for respect for religion and diversity after Leeds fans jeer Ramadan stoppage
Pep Guardiola urged football fans to “respect religion and diversity” following jeering from supporters during a Ramadan fast break stoppage at Elland Road on Saturday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The Manchester City manager addressed the incident after his side secured a 1-0 victory against Leeds United, with play briefly paused in the 13th minute to allow Muslim players to break their fast after sunset. Despite the stadium’s big screen displaying an explanation of the stoppage, audible booing could be heard from sections of the crowd.
“It is a modern world, right?” Guardiola remarked. “[You see] what is happening in the world today. Respect religion, diversity, that is the point.”
Guardiola explained that the Premier League allows a one or two-minute pause for fasting players to take on sustenance during matches. “We took on a little bit of vitamins because [Rayan] Cherki, [Rayan] Aït-Nouri did not eat today. No more than that,” he said, emphasizing that it should not pose any issue for the game.
Such stoppages have become standard practice during the holy month in recent seasons. Guardiola had spoken previously about how his Muslim players manage the demands of fasting while competing at elite levels, noting their experience in dealing with the requirements.
Edmund Riemer, standing in for head coach Daniel Farke at the post-match press conference, acknowledged the supporters’ behavior and accepted responsibility on behalf of the club. “Obviously some of the supporters did it, so we try to learn from it. It’s disappointing, we need to do better next time,” Riemer added.
Kick It Out, an anti-discrimination charity, condemned the reaction from Leeds supporters, describing it as “massively disappointing” that fans jeered while City’s players broke their fast. The organisation pointed out that pausing matches for Muslim players during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years, a visible demonstration of football’s inclusivity towards Muslim players and communities.
But as tonight’s reaction illustrates, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance. In an age where inclusivity should reign supreme, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges still faced on and off the pitch, where the beautiful game occasionally reveals its less harmonious side.
