FAITH AND FOOTBALL RAMADAN 2021 - GUIDANCE NOTES Published: APRIL 2021 - The FA
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GUIDANCE
NOTES
FAITH AND FOOTBALL
RAMADAN 2021
Published: APRIL 2021
RAMADAN
2021
The Islamic calendar is based on the
lunar cycle, and as a result, the Holy
month of Ramadan starts earlier by
approximately 10 days every year.
This year’s Ramadan start date is
expected to be Monday 12 April, subject
to the sighting of the moon, and the
expected end date is Tuesday 11 May.
Please note that there are also cultural
differences in the start and end dates.
CONTENTS
FOOTBALL AND RAMADAN – 3
THE MAIN QUESTIONS ANSWERED
TIPS FOR MUSLIM COLLEAGUES 5
AND PARTICIPANTS IN FOOTBALL
TIPS FOR NON-MUSLIM 6
COLLEAGUES AND PARTICIPANTS
IN FOOTBALL
Hamza Choudhury, Leicester City and former THE FA, FAITH AND FOOTBALL: 7
England men's under-21 international, seen here A GAME FOR ALL
during an England training camp.
FAITH AND FOOTBALL: RAMADAN 2021 2
FOOTBALL AND RAMADAN
THE MAIN QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: WHAT IS RAMADAN AND WHAT they may need to make up for this later on
DOES IT INVOLVE? by either fasting for a day after Ramadan or
giving a meal to someone more in need or
A: Ramadan is the holiest month in the
donating the value of that meal to charity.
Muslim calendar. It is observed by Muslims
worldwide as a month of fasting to Islam is not the only religion which prescribes
commemorate the first revelation of the fasting as an act of worship. Almost all major
Quran¹ to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be religions have periods of fasting within the
Upon Him) according to Islamic belief. practice of their faith.
Fasting during this holy month is one of the ¹ Organised in 114 chapters, the Quran is the central
five pillars of Islam, which also include prayer religious text of Islam. It is believed by Muslims to be
and charity. Ramadan lasts for one lunar a revelation from God and is widely regarded as the
month which is a maximum of 30 days and its finest work in classical Arabic literature.
start and ending dates are determined by the
sighting of the moon. Practically this means Q: WHAT FOOTBALL RULES COVER
it occurs around 10 days earlier each year. RAMADAN?
Ramadan is the most important and spiritual A: FA Rules make it clear that all faiths can
time of year for many Muslims and people be observed and will be respected within
may well change their routine, activities and football. This is covered in FA Rule B5:
life/work balance for this period. Fasting is the Football & Religious Observance, which is on
focus of the month, but people’s mindsets and page 101 of the 2020/21 FA Handbook.
the way they interact with others may also
vary due to their focus on faith at this time. In practice, it means no-one can be
compelled to play on a religious holiday
During daylight hours adult Muslims and unless they’ve consented, or are a
those who have reached puberty are professional player under contract.
required to abstain from eating, drinking
(including water) and smoking. The As far as grassroots football is concerned,
obligation of fasting does not apply to those the rule means that any fixtures that fall
who are physically or mentally unwell, within Ramadan can be played either after
travelling or pregnant. If any individual has sunset or delayed until after Eid ul-Fitr (the
not been able to observe a specific day's fast, celebration at the end of Ramadan).
FAITH AND FOOTBALL: RAMADAN 2021 3
FOOTBALL AND RAMADAN
THE MAIN QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Different Muslims will have different It is always important to take note of any Q: WHAT EFFECT, IF ANY, WILL THE
interpretations and observance of Islam and important religious dates when planning COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE ON
therefore it is always advisable to consult in fixtures. To help this, The FA produces a RAMADAN?
advance with anyone affected. calendar of religious dates. You can find the
latest one here. The calendar also contains
A: The Covid-19 pandemic has no direct
effect on Ramadan this year. Grassroots
It is advised that
Q: CAN FIXTURES BE POSTPONED information on the most significant
religious dates across all major faith groups.
football returned on Monday 29 March in those players
BECAUSE OF RAMADAN? line with the UK Government’s roadmap out
of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. Therefore
planning on fasting
A: Yes, but this should be avoided by leagues
compiling Ramadan-sensitive fixture lists.
Q: CAN REFEREES DECLINE TO Ramadan will happen before the current while training and
OFFICIATE DURING RAMADAN? season is concluded for most clubs. With
If it is known that a team has a significant
number of Muslim players, it is best practice A: Yes, but again this should be avoided by this in mind and if you are a Muslim player, playing during
to ask any predominantly Muslim clubs/ leagues knowing which referees are Muslim please read the ‘Tips for Muslim participants’
overleaf, which covers suggested exercise
Ramadan discuss
teams about their plans to fast and play and
then plan fixtures accordingly.
and their plans to fast and pray during
Ramadan. times and dietary recommendations. To with their medical,
read The FA’s latest guidance for grassroots
football, click here.
sports science and
coaching staff to
Q: HOW DOES RAMADAN AFFECT ensure they get the
YOUTH FOOTBALL?
A: There is no set age when Muslims start
most appropriate
fasting, but it is generally post-puberty support.
which can vary from between eight and 16
years old. This will usually affect Muslim Dr. Zaf Iqbal
participation in youth football during Head of Sports Medicine,
Ramadan, especially in the older age groups. Crystal Palace FC
As above, it is best practice for leagues to
ask Muslim clubs/teams in advance about
their plans to fast and play youth matches
during Ramadan.
FAITH AND FOOTBALL: RAMADAN 2021 4
TIPS FOR MUSLIM COLLEAGUES AND
PARTICIPANTS IN FOOTBALL
With this in mind and if you are a Muslim In addition, after you’ve exercised around Before dawn meal (suhoor): THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF FASTING
member of staff, player, coach, referee or midnight and before you go to bed, you also
DO: Fasting poses a challenge to your body, but it
other football participant, Ramadan may have have time to consume sufficient fluid and
• Focus on carbohydrates that release can have the following benefits:
an effect on you, particularly physically. glucose to enable you to replenish muscle
glycogen¹ stores after exercise. energy slowly (e.g. non-starchy • Weight loss;
This is mainly due to the fasting required, so
vegetables like spinach and kale; sweet
maintaining good physical health requires • Improved blood sugar control;
¹ Glycogen is an energy-giver made from glucose in potato, pasta, nuts, fruit, oats and
additional thought and preparation. Fasting is the food you eat. It is mainly stored in your liver and porridge) combined with foods that will • Improved cholesterol levels;
difficult because the body has to adapt to not muscles. From these storage sites, your muscles can release energy in the short/medium-term
receiving food and fluids throughout the day. quickly mobilise stored glycogen as fuel. • Reduced inflammation within the body,
(e.g. bananas, eggs and apples);
leading to reduced risk factors for
Not having regular quick energy provided
• Drink plenty of isotonic fluids as opposed diabetes and cardiovascular disease;
by frequent meals during the day means the SUGGESTED RAMADAN DIET
to water – ideally between two and four
body has to rely on what it can store and then • On a personal level, it teaches you
The dietary suggestions below are aimed at litres;
change the way it works. Dehydration is the control and self-restraint.
active football participants. If you have, or
biggest issue. It causes fatigue which slows • Gain extra electrolytes from a soluble
are likely to have, any health issues during
down many of our bodily organ functions. tablet to help with the water absorption.
fasting, you should seek appropriate FURTHER INFORMATION
Here are tips we hope you’ll find useful and at medical advice before starting any major DON'T: AND READING:
the foot of this page are some links to more dietary changes.
• Skip suhoor. Getting more sleep might • Much of the advice above is drawn from
detailed information.
After sunset meal (iftar): sound appealing, but breakfast really is an article by Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Head of
the most important meal of the day and is Sports Medicine at Crystal Palace FC.
DO:
EXERCISE TIMES even more important during Ramadan to You can read the full article here.
• Eat a small amount of quick-release get you through the fasting period;
The best times to exercise are in periods • Strategies for maintaining fitness and
carbohydrates (e.g. dates, fruit,
that limit losses in fitness or strength. With • Eat rich, greasy, fried and sugary dishes. performance during Ramadan, Journal
smoothies and pasta);
daylight fasting in mind, the ideal exercise Aside from the unhealthy weight gain, of Sports Sciences
time is therefore around midnight. That’s • Drink a whey protein shake to help with consuming fatty and sugary foods also
• Ramadan fasting and the goals of sports
because it’s a few hours after you have muscle regeneration and recovery. cause sluggishness and fatigue;
nutrition around exercise, Journal of
broken your fast in the evening meal (iftar)
DON'T: • Add too much salt, as it will increase your Sports Sciences
and allows enough time thereafter for your
thirst during the day.
body to digest any food, clear the stomach • Eat big meals at this time, or the body goes • A healthy Ramadan, the British
and direct blood to the exercising muscles. into ‘storage mode’ and will make you feel Nutrition Foundation.
lethargic and not want to exercise later.
FAITH AND FOOTBALL: RAMADAN 2021 5
TIPS FOR NON-MUSLIM COLLEAGUES AND
PARTICIPANTS IN FOOTBALL
If you're a non-Muslim club official, member ACKNOWLEDGE ANYONE Muslims who are fasting do not expect you MARKING THE END OF RAMADAN
of staff, manager or coach, who either has OBSERVING RAMADAN to stop eating or drinking, although it would
The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid ul-Fitr,
peers, colleagues or players who are Muslim, be polite not to eat, drink or smoke in front of
As with any religion, showing your Muslim also known as the ‘Festival of Breaking the
it’s good to acquaint yourself with what them. They may also enjoy sitting together and
colleagues or team members that you know Fast’. The day on which Eid falls will depend
Ramadan involves. That way you can ensure sharing food when they break their fast at Iftar
it is a special time for them is likely to be on the sighting of the moon therefore
your club or team is inclusive and welcoming, and will welcome non-Muslims to join in. To fast
appreciated. flexibility is necessary. Traditionally, Muslims
which also supports The FA’s For All ethos. with Muslim friends, even for part of the day, is
will take time off for Eid, in the same way
Acknowledging Ramadan on your website a good way of building strong bonds.
It is important to note that Ramadan is the Christians would for Easter.
holiest month of the Muslim calendar, and (internal and external), within your team You should be aware that fasting, combined
settings or on social media could be well The appropriate way to express best wishes
it is a month where many Muslims will be with extra prayers (see below) and a lack
received. For example, this could say: to a Muslim at Eid is to say ‘Eid Mubarak’.
immersing themselves in extra worship and of sleep may result in more tiredness and
a deep reflective period of introspection and ‘Ramadan Mubarak' to all our Muslim dehydration than normal. Many Muslims will
mindfulness. The holy month of Ramadan is colleagues, friends and participants. Best find it harder to play football or concentrate
not only fasting from all foods and drinks, but wishes for the holy month of Ramadan’ on their work normally so please be sensitive
also fasting from desires, foul language, bad to this.
behaviour and distractions. You should also consider flexi-working Muslims must be able to
for Muslim staff during Ramadan and APPLY COURTESY AROUND
Here are some tips: accommodating leave for Eid. PRAYING TIMES practise Ramadan safely
WHO'S WHO ¹ ‘Happy’ or ‘blessed’ Ramadan. Muslims may practise their faith more during and it is vital that those
Ensure you know which of your colleagues or
Ramadan and offer prayers during the day. within football understand
APPLY COURTESY AROUND This will normally be two to three times a day
players are Muslims and the degree to which
FASTING TIMES (during working hours) for a few minutes at the importance of this
they will observe Ramadan.
Unless there are specific reasons (e.g.
a time when they will require a small, clean holy month. Ramadan is
Without invading anyone’s privacy, it’s and private area.
good to find this out. Then you’re in a good
pregnancy), Muslims are required to abstain a big part of my life as a
from eating, drinking and smoking during Muslims may also attend extra prayers,
position to inform your colleagues, other
the daylight hours of Ramadan. The fast is known as ‘Tarawih’, during the night. footballer
team members, leagues and organisers to
broken after sunset with the evening meal
make provision around fixture planning for Whilst neither of the above may affect
known as ‘Iftar’. 15-year-old Layla Banaras,
example. Clearly, it also helps to get to know your footballing or meeting schedule, it’s
your colleagues and players better and to good to be aware, in case you need to make Birmingham City FC
build stronger relationships. alternative arrangements.
FAITH AND FOOTBALL: RAMADAN 2021 6
THE FA, FAITH AND FOOTBALL:
A GAME FOR ALL
Ensuring our national sport can be played by
everyone is an immutable part of The FA’s
THANK YOU TO OUR
ethos. The game should always be For All. PARTNERS FOR
To ensure this ethos applies to those with THEIR SUPPORT AND
devout religious beliefs, The FA has a ‘Faith
and Football Group’ comprising members of
CONTRIBUTION TO THIS
all the main world religions. It exists to advise YEAR'S RAMADAN
The FA on any barriers to football that people
of faith may experience – or perceive.
GUIDANCE NOTES:
You can find out more about The FA’s work in
this area here, where you will also find useful
resources related to the faith spectrum.
FAITH AND FOOTBALL: RAMADAN 2021 7
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