The A-Leagues’ Ramadan Break Policy: A Landmark Step for Inclusivity in Football

History was made in Australian football as the A-League fixture between Melbourne City and Macarthur FC became the first professional game this season to pause for a Ramadan break. Match officials halted play at sundown, allowing Muslim players to break their fast - a move aligning with global football’s commitment to inclusivity. (https://aleagues.com.au/news/aleagues-ramadan-break-melbourne-city-macarthur-bulls-aleague-men-2025/)

Legal & Regulatory Context

This decision reflects the flexibility within FIFA’s Laws of the Game and the growing recognition of religious accommodations in sport. While not mandated, leagues such as the English Premier League have introduced similar stoppage policies to support Muslim athletes.

Match Official Discretion

·       Under Law 5 of the FIFA Laws of the Game (LOTG), referees have the discretionary power to manage match interruptions beyond injury-related stoppages.

·       This authority allows referees to uphold the ‘spirit of the game’, ensuring fairness while maintaining the game’s integrity. (https://www.theifab.com/laws/latest/the-referee/#decisions-of-the-referee)

By allowing Ramadan breaks, the A-Leagues actively promote inclusivity, ensuring that players of all backgrounds can fully participate in the sport.

The Inclusivity Principles for Club Identity further support this initiative, encouraging clubs to adopt broad and welcoming identities that reflect Australia’s diverse football community. (Inclusivity Principles Document)

A-League’s Ramadan Break Regulations

First introduced in the 2023-24 season, the Ramadan Break Policy outlines specific procedures for its implementation:

·       Request Procedure: Clubs or match officials must formally request a break from the Match Commissioner at least 90 minutes before kick-off when submitting the team sheet.

·       Timing of Break: A 90-second stoppage is scheduled at an appropriate time after sunset, agreed upon by match officials, allowing players and officials to break their fast.

·       Execution:

o   Players and match officials remain on the field.

o   Substitutes and coaching staff stay in the technical area.

o   The game clock continues running, with break time added to stoppage time.

o   The referee signals with 15 seconds remaining before play resumes. (https://aleagues.com.au/news/aleagues-ramadan-break-observed-2024-25-season-details/)

These regulations align with global best practices, such as those seen in the English Premier League, where Ramadan breaks have been observed since 2021. (https://www.premierleague.com/news/3118537#:~:text=Ramadan%20will%20be%20observed%20by,during%20a%20Premier%20League%20match)

Player Perspectives

Sydney FC midfielder Anas Ouahim has praised the initiative, highlighting its physical and spiritual importance for Muslim players:

"It's very important for us… When you don't drink or eat for so long, breaking your fast on time is crucial - it helps you hydrate, maybe have a date or something small to regain energy. Especially for professional athletes, having that opportunity is really beneficial."

He also reflected on Ramadan’s significance:

"Ramadan is a very special time for me and for all Muslims around the world. It's a time of self-discipline, gratitude, and reflection. We try to make the best out of it and get closer to God."

Ouahim emphasised the importance of respect and inclusivity in professional football:

"Respect also means giving players the time and space to practice their faith while still playing football. I think it's very important that these things can go hand in hand—you should be able to follow your religion and do what you love at the same time."

By introducing and maintaining this policy, the A-Leagues and PFA are taking a proactive leadership role in embracing cultural diversity and ensuring that football remains an inclusive sport for all participants.

(Fulle Article and Interview: https://aleagues.com.au/news/ramadan-breaks-aleagues-2025-pfa-initiative-anas-ouahim-sydney-fc/)

The Future of Inclusivity in Football and Sport in Australia

This decision aligns with global best practices and marks a significant step toward inclusivity in Australian sport. By embracing Ramadan breaks, the A-Leagues have set a precedent for accommodating religious observances at the professional level.

With Football Australia and the A-Leagues’ commitment to anti-discrimination and inclusivity, could this initiative evolve into a permanent fixture in the A-League’s competition rules (https://aleagues.com.au/more/official-documents/)? And if so, could it pave the way for broader reforms across Australian sport?

Image: https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-a-league-a-league-to-have-ramadan-breaks-again-this-season/YwAKrt8m/