Ramadan and Muslim footballers: Navigating faith and sport across Europe

Muslim footballers face the challenge of balancing their religious obligations with the demands of professional sports

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, Muslim footballers around the world are once again balancing their religious observance with the demands of professional sports. 

Fasting from dawn until dusk, which includes abstaining from food and drink, poses a unique challenge for athletes who must maintain peak performance levels during this period. 

While many leagues and clubs offer support, policies surrounding fasting breaks vary significantly by country, sparking debates around religious freedoms, inclusivity, and neutrality.

Ramadan runs from March 1 to March 30, 2025, and football players who observe the fast face the challenge of managing their schedules, energy levels, and hydration during training and matches. 

In many countries, Muslim players are granted flexibility through brief pauses during matches to break their fast. 

These breaks are often timed around natural stoppages in play, such as goal kicks, throw-ins, or substitutions, allowing players to hydrate with water and dates, the traditional foods used to break the fast.

Countries like England, the Netherlands, and Belgium have introduced policies that permit brief breaks during matches for Muslim players to break their fast. 

In the English FA Cup, for example, a pause is planned during the first game stoppage after sunset, ensuring that Muslim players can observe their religious duties without compromising their performance. 

Similarly, the English Premier League has allowed players to take a break during Ramadan in recent years, a measure that has received praise from both players and fans alike. 

Australia’s A-League has even taken it a step further, introducing a 90-second break during evening matches at sunset to allow Muslim players to break their fast.

In Germany, Muslim players are also granted flexibility, with the country’s football authorities allowing natural pauses during matches. 

In Türkiye, evening match schedules are adjusted to ensure that the fast is broken before games begin, demonstrating the region’s sensitivity to the religious needs of players.

The French exception: controversy and “secularism”

However, in France, the issue of fasting breaks has sparked controversy. 

The French Football Federation (FFF) has long maintained its policy of neutrality, which includes not allowing religious expressions such as fasting breaks or visible religious symbols on the field. 

FFF president Philippe Diallo defended this stance, stating that the federation’s rules must be followed to ensure “neutrality” in the sport. 

Diallo also emphasized the importance of respecting the “framework” of the French national team, which some critics argue undermines the religious and cultural needs of Muslim players.

This policy has drawn strong reactions, particularly from players and their advocates. 

Some Muslim players, including Mahamadou Diawara, a former French under-19 player, have protested the lack of accommodation for fasting during Ramadan, arguing that their faith is not respected within the team. 

The policy has sparked division within the national squad, with players from North African and African backgrounds, such as N’Golo Kanté, Ousmane Dembélé, and Ibrahima Konaté, expressing frustration over the lack of understanding and support for their religious practices. 

Canadian sports journalist Shireen Ahmed highlighted the issue on social media, comparing it to the French hijab ban and labeling it as part of a broader pattern of anti-Muslim behavior.

Balancing faith and performance

The challenge of fasting during Ramadan extends beyond the policies of national football federations. 

Many Muslim players work closely with nutritionists and medical staff to adapt their diets, hydration routines, and training schedules to the demands of fasting. 

Adjustments might include training at different times of the day or taking more frequent hydration breaks during non-fasting hours. 

These adaptations ensure that players can maintain their physical performance while also observing their religious obligations.

For many Muslim footballers, the ability to observe Ramadan without compromising their faith is a matter of personal importance. 

Anas Ouahim, a Moroccan international playing for Sydney FC, praised his league’s decision to introduce a break for fasting players, calling it “particularly beneficial” in allowing him to practice his religion while playing the sport he loves. 

Local fanbases have also shown support for these measures, recognizing that allowing religious observance enhances the inclusivity of the sport. 

In contrast, France’s refusal to make accommodations for fasting Muslim players has been seen by some as a failure to recognize the needs of a significant portion of its footballing population. 

Critics argue that such policies send a message of exclusion and marginalization, particularly at a time when football is striving for greater diversity and inclusivity both on and off the field.

As Ramadan unfolds this year, Muslim footballers across Europe and beyond continue to navigate the complexities of fasting while competing at the highest level. 

Ultimately, as the sport continues to evolve, it’s clear that the needs of Muslim players—like all players—must be considered in the pursuit of a more inclusive, respectful, and fair playing field.