Pep Guardiola makes feelings clear after Leeds fans booed Ramadan break in Man City game
Pep Guardiola urged football fans to “respect religion and diversity” following jeering from supporters during a Ramadan fast break stoppage at Elland Road on Saturday evening.
The Manchester City manager addressed the incident after his side secured a 1-0 victory against Leeds United, with play briefly paused in the 13th minute to allow Muslim players to break their fast after sunset.
Despite the stadium’s big screen displaying an explanation of the stoppage, audible booing could be heard from sections of the crowd.
“It is a modern world, right?” Guardiola remarked. “[You see] what is happening in the world today. Respect religion, diversity, that is the point.”
The City boss explained that the Premier League permits a one or two-minute pause for fasting players to take on sustenance during matches.
“We took on a little bit of vitamins because [Rayan] Cherki, [Rayan] Aït-Nouri did not eat today. No more than that,” Guardiola said.
“The question is, can they do it or not? What is the problem?”
Leeds United supporters inside Elland Road were left furious on Saturday night as play was halted in order for Muslim players to break their fasts during Ramadan | GETTY
Such stoppages have become standard practice during the holy month in recent seasons.
Guardiola had spoken on Friday about how his Muslim players, including Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov, manage the demands of fasting while competing at elite level, noting they have experienced Ramadan throughout their careers and understand how to cope with its requirements.
Edmund Riemer, standing in for head coach Daniel Farke at the post-match press conference, acknowledged the supporters’ behaviour.
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWS
Farke was unavailable after receiving a red card following the final whistle for confronting the match official over what he perceived as timewasting.
“I’m probably the guy who doesn’t hear a lot because I’m really focused on the game, but I’ve heard about it,” the Leeds assistant said.
He accepted responsibility on behalf of the club, describing the reaction as disappointing.
“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 added.
Antoine Semenyo celebrates after scoring for Manchester City against Leeds | PA
Kick it Out issued a statement condemning the reaction from Leeds supporters, describing it as “massively disappointing” that fans jeered while City’s players broke their fast.
The anti-discrimination charity noted the incident was made worse by the fact that an explanation had been shown on the stadium screen at the time.
The organisation pointed out that pausing matches for Muslim players during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years, serving as a visible demonstration of football’s inclusivity towards Muslim players and communities.
“But as tonight’s reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance,” the charity stated.
