France’s football federation has asked referees not to stop matches to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan.
Unlike England’s Premier League which allows it, the practice does not comply with French football federation rules, multiple media reported the body in an email sent to referees on Thursday.
He said that it has been brought to the attention of the federation that matches are being disrupted after breaking the Ramadan fast.
“The idea is that there’s a time for everything. A time to play sports, a time to practice your religion,” said Eric Borghini, head of the federation’s Federal Referee Commission.
He said the federation had learned that “a certain number of amateur-level meetings have been stopped to allow fasting athletes to hydrate”.
This is not allowed in the rules, he said, highlighting that they include strict respect for the principle of secularism in football.
English football has reversed the decision and will allow Premier League matches to be suspended during the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. It is being celebrated from March 22 this year.
Asked about the issue, Nice coach Didier Dagard said on Friday that several Muslim players in the team observed Ramadan without any problems.
Although he said it would be good if France allowed a break, he added that “no one cares if they don’t. Because we are not in a Muslim country. You have to accept this country.” It will be where you live,” he told reporters.
