The annual Muslim tradition of Ramadan fasting started at the beginning of April, during which, those partaking must not eat or drink anything during hours of daylight.Given that there are millions of athletes around the world who honour Ramadan – there must be situations where they could really use a break during their sporting activities to energize.Sat 16:30: (2.05) Mainz (3.50) Stuttgart (3.90)A ‘hats-down’ gesture came from a Bundesliga referee to assist an Islam practicing footballer. French defender of Senegalese descent Moussa Niakhate had to wait for the sun to descend to be ‘allowed’ to take a few sips of water but what surprised him was that referee Matthias Jollenbeck decided to stop the game for a few moments.In the 65th minute of Mainz’s trip to Augsburg, Jollenbeck halted proceedings so Niakhate could hydrate himself and by doing so the referee and the footballer made Bundesliga history as it was the first time that a game has been stopped to allow a player to break fast during Ramadan.Play was stopped during Augsburg vs. Mainz 05 so Moussa Niakhaté could have a moment to break his Ramadan fast just after sunset 👏 pic.twitter.com/TwfbcpBfn7— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 11, 2022 The 26-year-old then applauded the referee for the gesture and ran up to thank Jollenbeck by shaking his hand.Niakhate took fluids on board from two bottles while speaking to Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner.Director of communications for the German Referee Committee – Lutz Michael Frohlich – has approved referees stopping games to allow players to break their fast.’There is no general instruction in this regard, but of course we support our referees allowing such drinking breaks during Ramadan at the request of the players.’, Frohlich said.Over the weekend, there were more examples of referees pausing games to allow players to break their fast. On Sunday, in RB Leipzig’s 3-0 win over Hoffenheim, referee Bastian Dankert allowed Mohamed Siamakan a few minutes to hydrate but without stopping the play itself.Yellow-blacks set to pay $22 million! Algerian ace Bensebaini to swap one Borussia for anotherAnd it shouldn’t be a surprise if such a sight is seen in the Premier League over the next few weeks during evening matches. Last season in the meeting between Leicester and Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium, there was a pause in play to allow Foxes defender Wesley Fofana and Eagles midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate to break their fast.During the holy month of Ramadan, which occurs on the ninth month of the lunar-based Islamic calendar, all Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk for 30 days. The ongoing fast ends on May 2nd.
