Guardiola Demands Respect After Fans Boo Ramadan Fast Break at Elland Road
Pep Guardiola has issued a powerful plea for tolerance and understanding in football, condemning supporters who audibly jeered a brief stoppage in play to allow Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast during Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road.
Stoppage Protocol Met with Disapproval from Section of Crowd
In a move that has become standard practice during the holy month of Ramadan, play was intentionally halted in the 13th minute after sunset to permit fasting players to consume food and drink. Despite a clear explanatory message displayed on the stadium's big screen, a noticeable section of the crowd reacted with boos and jeers during the pause.
"It is a modern world, right?" Guardiola stated emphatically in his post-match comments. "[You see] what is happening in the world today. Respect religion, respect 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."
The Manchester City manager highlighted that players like Rayan Cherki and Rayan Aït-Nouri had not eaten all day, making the brief nutritional break essential. "We took on a little bit of vitamins because they did not eat today. No more than that," he explained. "The question is, can they do it or not? What is the problem?"
Leeds Coaching Staff Acknowledge Incident as Disappointing
Leeds United's assistant head coach, Edmund Riemer, addressed the incident, expressing disappointment while acknowledging the need for improvement. "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," Riemer admitted, noting his focus during the game might have prevented him from hearing the jeers directly.
Guardiola had previously spoken about the challenges faced by Muslim athletes during Ramadan, mentioning players like Omar Marmoush, Aït-Nouri, Cherki, and Abdukodir Khusanov. "They follow this religious tradition. We have good nutritionists and they adapt to what the team needs," he said in a pre-match briefing. "They are used to it – they are not young and have been playing many years during this period."
Football's Ongoing Struggle with Inclusion and Education
The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out released a statement strongly criticizing the fans' reaction. "It is massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans jeered when Manchester City's players broke their fast," the organization stated. "Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now. It's an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players and communities."
The charity emphasized that the incident, particularly given the on-screen explanation, underscores football's continued challenges with education and acceptance. "As tonight's reaction shows, football still has a long way to go," the statement concluded, highlighting the broader need for cultural sensitivity within the sport.
This event at Elland Road serves as a stark reminder of the persistent barriers to full inclusivity in football, even as official protocols attempt to accommodate religious practices. The vocal disapproval from a segment of supporters contrasts sharply with the Premier League's established efforts to support diversity, prompting renewed calls for fan education and respect across all levels of the game.
