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The Premier League and English Football League (EFL) have confirmed that matches will include brief pauses during Ramadan to allow Muslim players and match officials to break their fast after sunset.

According to BBC Sport on Monday, Ramadan, the Islamic holy month during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset, begins this week and will last for about a month.

With sunset in the UK typically occurring between 17:00 and 19:00 GMT during this period, the only fixtures likely to see a pause are Saturday 17:30 kick-offs and Sunday 16:30 kick-offs.

The EPL explained how the breaks will work: “Play will not stop while matches are in mid-flow.

Instead, at the earliest convenient moment, such as a goal-kick, free-kick, or throw-in, players and officials observing Ramadan can take a brief pause to hydrate and replenish energy.

The procedure has been in place since April 2021, when a match between Leicester City and Crystal Palace was paused at a goal-kick so Muslim players could break their fast.

The measure allowed Leicester’s Wesley Fofana and Palace’s Cheikhou Kouyate to hydrate and consume energy gels shortly after sunset.

Clubs and match officials discuss the stoppage before each relevant match, agreeing on whether it will be required and roughly when it should happen.

The aim is to balance the flow of the game with respect for religious observance.

“We want to make sure players can perform at their best while observing their faith. “These breaks are designed to be practical, brief, and respectful,” EPL said.

Notable Muslim players in English football include Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Amad Diallo, all of whom could benefit from the mid-match breaks this month.

The move reflects ongoing efforts by English football authorities to accommodate religious practices while maintaining the competitive integrity of matches.

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Arsenal delivered a stunning performance at the Emirates Stadium, scoring four goals within just 17 minutes to secure a commanding 4-0 victory over League One side Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

The Gunners opened the scoring early, with Noni Madueke finding the net in the 11th minute, setting the tone for what was to follow. Just seven minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli doubled Arsenal’s lead, showcasing their attacking prowess.

The visitors’ woes continued when Jack Hunt inadvertently headed the ball into his own net in the 23rd minute, and within half an hour, Gabriel Jesus added a fourth, deftly finishing after receiving a long ball from Christian Norgaard.

Despite their dominance, Arsenal failed to increase their tally, but the emphatic win marked their first advance to the fifth round since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, keeping alive their hopes for an unprecedented quadruple this season.

Manager Mikel Arteta made eight changes from the team that drew with Brentford on Thursday but retained a formidable front five featuring Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Madueke, Jesus, and Martinelli. Eze, under scrutiny for his recent form, played a pivotal role in the opening goals, providing a brilliant no-look pass to Madueke before assisting Martinelli.

Wigan, currently languishing in 22nd place in League One and reeling from a 6-1 loss to Peterborough that cost manager Ryan Lowe his job, faced chants from their supporters lamenting their team’s performance as the scoreline reached 3-0.

Despite the overwhelming pressure, Wigan managed to hold the score at four by half-time, with goalkeeper Sam Tickle making a crucial save to deny Joe Taylor.

As the second half unfolded, Arsenal continued to threaten, with Saka substituted at half-time as he works his way back to full fitness. New signing Viktor Gyökeres nearly added a fifth, hitting the post with a deflected shot, while Eze struck the side-netting shortly after.

Although Wigan managed to avoid further humiliation, the match fizzled out after the explosive opening, leaving Arsenal firmly in the hat for the fifth-round draw set for Monday. With the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup all still within reach, Arteta’s side is poised for a thrilling March ahead.

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Nigeria’s Falconets on Saturday secured a slim first-leg advantage in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, defeating Senegal 1-0 at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Both teams showed determination, but neither could find a breakthrough before the interval, leaving the score at 0-0 at halftime.

Substitute, Kindness Ifeanyi scored the decisive goal in the second half , heading home from a corner kick in the 50th minute to separate both sides.

She came close to doubling the advantage in the 66th minute, but the Senegalese goal keeper stretched full length to push her effort away.

The Falconets maintained their lead through disciplined defending and controlled play, with head coach Moses Aduku’s second-half substitutions helping the team sustain momentum and see out the encounter.

Nigeria’s striker Janet Akokoromowei was forced off in the first period due to injury.

Ifeanyi was later named player of the match for her match-winning performance.