Leeds fans slammed as boos ring out at Elland Road during Man City Ramadan break

Leeds United fans have been slammed online after they booed a break in play which allowed Manchester City's Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan.

For a number of years now, the Premier League have allowed its Muslim players to refuel during a short period in games.

The English top tier has a plethora of players of players who observe the holy month of Ramadan, where they abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours to show devotion to Allah.

The period ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, when the new moon is sighted.

Muslims must break the fast after sunset and before sunrise but that can bring difficulty for top-level athletes, particular with 17:30 Saturday kick-offs and Sunday 16:30 kick-offs.

Therefore, on Saturday evening at Elland Road, it was agreed that a break would be allowed for City's Muslim trio of Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri to take on fluids.

It happened around 12 minutes into the contest but the stoppage was met with a chorus of boos from Leeds fans who were intent on creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for City.

The jeers were extremely loud despite Leeds agreeing to the pause beforehand and a message flashing up on the stadium screen to explain the break.

It read: "As tonight's match takes place during the holy period of Ramadan, play has been paused briefly to allow players to break their fast."

Manchester City have three muslim players taking part in Ramadan. Image: Getty

Both sets of players, including those who do not practice Islam, gathered near the touchline and rehydrated.

Reacting on X, one fan fumed: "Are Leeds fans really booing the Ramadan water break?"

A second said: "The Leeds fans booing when the players go and break their fast during Ramadan for a few seconds is absolutely uncalled for and unnecessary. They're human beings, and it doesn't take much to respect their beliefs."

A third wrote: "Leeds fans booing the Ramadan break is so disgusting."

A fourth user added: "Leeds fans booing players pausing to break their fast for Ramadan. Classy as ever. Just beyond pathetic."

Premier League introduced Ramadan agreement in 2021

It was in 2021 that the Premier League announced an agreement whereby all Muslim players would be allowed to break their fast when on the pitch.

The first instance of it happening was a game between Leicester City and Crystal Palace, with the game halted at a goal-kick around 30 minutes in to allow Wesley Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate to replenish.

Fofana thanked the Premier League, Palace and former Eagles goalkeeper Vicente Guiata for allowing him to break his fast,

Taking to social media, the Frenchman wrote: "Just wanted to thank the @premierleague as well as @CPFC, @vguaita13 and all the Foxes for allowing me to break my fast tonight in the middle of the game. That's what makes football wonderful."