by Staff Writer
Monday, 16th February 2026
West Ham United's Premier League encounter with AFC Bournemouth could be the host venue for some unusual in-match breaks this weekend.
And that's because the Premier League have indicated there will be provision once again for matches to be paused so that Muslim players can break their fasting during Ramadan, an important religious festival in the Islamic calendar.
The Ramadan holy festival begins this year on Tuesday, 17 February, the first sighting of the new crescent moon, and lasts for 30 days. During that period players will be allowed to break their fast, which is observed daily from sunrise until sunset.
Sunset on Saturday is set to commence at 5.27pm, which means players will be able to break their fast - which entails abstaining from the consumption of food and drink on a daily basis - shortly after kick-off, which is scheduled for 5.30pm..
And as a result, breaks may occur during the game for the purpose of affected players taking on board refreshments.
The first ever break in play for such purposes took place five years ago in 2021 during a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace. Other clubs, such as Liverpool, have altered their training programme to accommodate the festival.
West Ham United's Muslim players include Jean-Clair Todibo, who returns from a three-match suspension this weekend and Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.