FA Cup: Matches to pause for fasting Muslim players during Ramadan
The FA Cup matches held during Ramadan will be temporarily suspended to allow Muslim players to fast.
Islamic Holy Month is scheduled to begin this weekend, with Manchester City playing against Plymouth on Saturday, and United’s match against Fulham could be affected.
Muslims around the world will fast, meaning they are forbidden to drink any food or drink during the day.
The Football Association’s fifth round profile says: “Players who observe Ramadan will be allowed to pause for a short time to break their fast.
“When a pause occurs, there is about consensus and it will not be used as a time for teams to drink or tactical timeouts.”
The Manchester City game started at 17:45 GMT, while Manchester United kicked off the next day at 16:30, while the sun set at 17:49.
Players who observe Ramadan will be allowed to stop during the game to break the fast. When a pause occurs, a general consensus will be reached and will not be used as a team drinking or tactical timeout.
Muslim players who may be taking action include City vs. Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khuzanov, United defender Noussair Mazraoui and Fulham winger Adama Traore, while Plymouth manager Miron Music is also Muslim.
BBC Sport has declined to comment with Manchester United and has contacted United for comment.
In recent years, the Premier League has issued similar instructions during Ramadan, where players break fasting in natural stops, such as goal, free ball or throwing.
Ramadan will be held from March 1 to 30 this year, and the announcement will be announced later on Friday to confirm the beginning.
The FA Cup quarterfinals will be held on March 29 and 30.
