Play was stopped between Augsburg and Mainz 05 to allow Moussa Niakhate to break his fast in an amazing moment in the Bundesliga.
Muslims around the world are currently observing Ramadan, including Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema who had been fasting all day prior to bagging a hat-trick against Chelsea in the Champions League.
Mainz defender Niakhate is also taking part in Ramadan as part of his Muslim faith.
And the 26-year-old broke his fast during his side's match last week.
In the 65th minute, match referee Matthias Jollenbeck halted proceedings so Niakhate could hydrate himself.
The short break saw him drink out of two bottles, presumably water and a sports drink.
In der vorigen Woche wurde erstmals ein Bundesligaspiel unterbrochen, damit ein muslimischer Spieler kurz nach Sonnenuntergang sein Fasten während des Ramadans brechen konnte. Ein Beispiel, das Schule machen könnte.
— Deutschlandfunk Sport (@DLF_Sport) April 11, 2022
➡️ https://t.co/5hpY9bjTId pic.twitter.com/YUwwJspLYr
Play was stopped during Augsburg vs. Mainz 05 so Moussa Niakhaté could have a moment to break his Ramadan fast just after sunset 👏 pic.twitter.com/TwfbcpBfn7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 11, 2022
After breaking his fast, the Frenchman thanked Jollenbeck in a brilliant moment.
According to SPORT, the occasion marked the first time ever that a top-fight German match had been stopped to allow a player to break their fast.
Fans online loved the wholesome moment.
I love the moment the Referee temporarily stopped the Match to allowed Moussa Niakhate to break his fast right on the pitch. ❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/YAngOfuVhq
— 𝑰𝑩𝑵 (@NG_Devs) April 12, 2022
S/O to referee Matthias Jöllenbeck for halting play during the Augsburg vs Mainz 05 game so that Moussa Niakhate could break his Ramadhan fast just after sunset.
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) April 12, 2022
The spirit of Ubuntu lives on. 👏🏾pic.twitter.com/K8WOe5eFHu
Amazing moment in the Bundesliga. Play is stopped to allow Moussa Niakhaté, a Senegalese-French Muslim, to break his Ramadan fast 👏. https://t.co/yXTjy2CnYr
— Ciarán Ó Meachair (@CiaranOMeachair) April 11, 2022
Lutz Michael Frohlich, director general of communications for the German Referee Committee, has approved referees stopping games to allow players to break their fast.
On Monday, he said: "There is no general instruction in this regard, but of course we support our referees allowing such drinking breaks during Ramadan at the request of the players."
Featured Image Credit: Bundesliga
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