Leeds United urge fans to show respect for Ramadan fast break ahead of FA Cup tie with Norwich

Leeds United have issued a formal appeal to supporters asking them to respect a planned pause in play during Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Norwich City, after sections of the Elland Road crowd booed a similar break during their recent Premier League clash with Manchester City.

The stoppage during the Manchester City match lasted 78 seconds and came in the 13th minute of Leeds’ 1-0 defeat, occurring shortly after sunset, to allow Muslim players to consume food and fluids at the touchline in observance of Ramadan. Despite an explanation being displayed on the big screen inside the stadium, audible boos were heard from sections of the home support.

In a statement ahead of Sunday’s cup tie, the club confirmed that another break will take place. “At an appropriate time following sunset in Leeds at 5:56pm, which will be around the 75th minute of our clash with the Canaries, the referee will call a halt to proceedings for a brief period allowing players from both sides to take on fluids and energy supplements in line with agreed protocol,” the club said.

Leeds United also confirmed that their own striker, Joël Piroe, will be among those observing the fast and participating in the break.

The club did not hold back in its condemnation of those responsible for the booing. “To be clear, Leeds United Football Club explicitly condemn any supporters in the home or away sections who actively boo players observing Ramadan and use the protocol in place to break their fast,” the statement read. “On Sunday against Norwich City, there is an opportunity to show the very best of Leeds United, and that everyone is welcome at Elland Road.”

While condemning the behaviour, Leeds also outlined several factors they believe contributed to the confusion. The club acknowledged that this was the first time a game at Elland Road had ever been paused for a Ramadan fast break, and admitted that in hindsight their advance communications to fans had been insufficient. They also noted that the big screen message was not visible to approximately 25 per cent of the stadium, including the South Stand.

Leeds also pointed to a controversial stoppage in their earlier fixture against Manchester City at the Etihad in November 2025, when the game was halted for what fans perceived as a tactical timeout, and suggested supporters may have assumed Saturday’s pause was a repeat of that incident. A similar episode during a match against Sunderland the previous week had also prompted booing.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke echoed that view, suggesting many fans simply did not understand what was happening. “I’m not sure that everyone was aware — we had the topic of Pep bringing players in to give a team talk — I think supporters thought it was this,” Farke said, adding: “If it was disrespectful because of the break, then yes we have to say we have to learn from it.”

The booing drew swift criticism from across football. Anti-discrimination body Kick It Out called the reaction “massively disappointing,” noting that pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan had been an agreed protocol for several years.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also criticised the reaction, saying: “It’s the modern world, right? Respect the religion, respect the diversity.”

A Leeds United supporters’ group representing Muslim fans, the Deshi Whites, also spoke out, urging other supporters to remember the togetherness that the word “United” in the club’s name represents. Founder Humayun Islam said that those who booed should be reminded of the human being behind every shirt.

Under an agreement put in place in 2021, Muslim players are permitted to break their fast during Premier League matches. With sunset in the UK falling between approximately 5pm and 7pm during Ramadan this year, only Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 4:30pm kick-offs are likely to be affected.

Leeds concluded their statement by acknowledging the broader challenges facing the game. The club wrote that “football still has a long way to go in eradicating stains on the game,” and pledged to continue working toward a more inclusive environment at Elland Road.