Rabat—Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has urged fans to “respect religion and respect diversity” after a brief pause during Premier League play was met with boos from some supporters.
The stoppage happened in City’s 1–0 win at Elland Road against Leeds United yesterday, when several Muslim players broke their fast during Ramadan.
The match was briefly halted around the 13th minute to allow Muslim players to take water and some nourishment after sunset, following a protocol agreed between clubs and the league. A message shown on screens in the stadium explained the reason for the break, but audible boos still came from parts of the crowd.
🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: There were LOUD whistles and boo’s from the Leeds fans when the screen showed that the Muslim players were allowed to break their fast. pic.twitter.com/UHmFzAgzpy
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) February 28, 2026
Speaking to the media after the game, Guardiola insisted the decision was not his own but followed Premier League guidance allowing “one or two minutes” for fasting players to break their fast. He insisted that the stoppage was meant to support diversity and inclusion:
“It’s the modern world, isn’t it? Look at what’s happening in the world today. We have to respect religion, respect diversity. That’s the main thing. It’s a rule. The Premier League said that, for fasting, you could allow one or two minutes for the players so they can break it… And what happened, happened, unfortunately.”
Guardiola added that the players had to take on some vitamins and fluids because they had not eaten that day due to fasting.
Anti-discrimination campaigners also condemned the act. The anti-discrimination group Kick It Out called the booing “massively disappointing,” saying that Ramadan breaks have been an agreed protocol in English football for several years. They insisted on the fact that football still needs progress in education and acceptance.
Leeds United’s assistant manager Edmund Riemer, speaking in place of head coach Daniel Farke, who was sent off, also condemned the fans’ reaction as “disappointing,” saying “we need to do better next time.”
