Referees 'asked to pause night matches for Muslim players to break their fast'

Referees in the Premier League and EFL have reportedly been asked to pause evening games during Ramadan to allow players to break their fast.

The holy period of Ramadan, which is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is set to start on Wednesday and will end on the evening of Friday April 21.

A number of Muslim players will be abstaining from eating and drinking during daylight hours and match officials in England's top four divisions have been asked to halt night matches so these players can take on liquids, energy gels and supplements, according to Sky Sports.

They have been encouraged to wait for a natural stoppage in play, such as a goal kick or a throw-in, before pausing the game.

Teams have also been told to try and agree a rough time with the referee ahead of kick-off for the pause to take place.

Matches in the Premier League have been paused in the past for players to break their fast, with Burnley's league game against Southampton last season halted in the 41st minute to allow Mohamed Elyounoussi and Yan Valery to refuel.

The Premier League's stance has previously been to allow games to be stopped if a team puts in a request beforehand, but this time they have sent a clear message to referees ahead of Ramadan getting underway.

England's top-flight contains several high-profile Muslim players including Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez who are expected to fast over the next month.

Those two men are due to face each other in the first Premier League game after the international break when the Reds travel to the Etihad, although a pause will not be necessary for that match as it is a 12:30pm kick-off.

Chelsea defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana are also set to observe Ramadan, and the latter was given time to break his fast during a match between Leicester and Crystal Palace two years ago.