Booing was heard as the game was stopped to allow Man City’s Muslim players take on food
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter and James Smailes
16:19, 02 Mar 2026
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke
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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke
Daniel Farke has branded it “unacceptable” that some supporters intentionally booed the break-of-fast pause for Ramadan in Saturday’s game against Manchester City, but believes there was an element of confusion about what was going on.
Boos rang out as the players made their way to the touchline on 13 minutes to allow Man City’s Muslim players to take in food and liquid once the sun had set. A message appeared on Elland Road’s big screen to inform the crowd the reason behind the pre-planned stoppage, though some jeers were sustained.
Some have since explained how they believed Pep Guardiola had incited a tactical time-out as had happened in November’s reverse fixture, when Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to spark a team-talk on the pitch that allowed City to regroup after a positive Leeds start.
Farke believes that previous incident may have led to some confusion over exactly what was happening on Saturday, with the Leeds boss suggesting much of the noise around the break in play at Elland Road stemmed from confusion and a lack of clarity at the situation.
"To be honest, if it was really disrespectful in this terms because of the break, then you have to say, we all have to learn out of this.," explained Farke. "But it was during the game. I'm also honest, it was not my feeling, because I think was just a big surprise for everyone that there was this little break.
"I'm not sure if everyone was really aware. We had the first game against Man City, and we had this topic that Pep got all the players together and spoke to them, and we'd had such a good start to the game. We were the first 10 minutes battling them, all over them.
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"I think our supporters had the feeling, well, they're doing the same like in the first game. And because of this, they were booing. So I don't think it had anything to do with was a break for for Ramadan. I think no one was really aware.
"I think someone told me then it was like on the on the screen. But I'm not sure if, in this moment, everyone watches on the screen.
"If it was from some people's point of view, really out of being disrespectful, then it's not acceptable. There's no doubt about this. But I think in general, football and we as a club, and also a dressing room, there is no better place for living together with different passports, different religions, than the football club or with our group.
"My gut feeling was the supporters didn't even know what was happening, because I don't think everyone was really aware when the sun went down, and then when there was this little break, this is my initial feeling. But if it was really disrespectful, then of course, it is not acceptable."
Immediately after Saturday's game Kick It Out released a statement condemning the crowd behaviour at Elland Road, citing how the reaction was "massively disappointing." Taking to X, the organisation wrote: "It’s massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans booed when Manchester City’s players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road this evening.
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"This was compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium. Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now.
"It’s an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players and communities. But as tonight’s reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance."
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