The match between Schalke 04 and Arminia Bielefeld saw an unusual but increasingly common scene in European football - a short break during the match so that players observing Ramadan could break their fast.
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began on February 18 and presents a special challenge for professional athletes. Although Islam allows athletes to make up for missed fasts later, the decision to fast remains a personal one.
Six Schalke players are fasting. Coach Miron Muslic and players Hasan Kurucay, Moussa Sylla, Adil Aouchiche, Zaid Tchibara, Kenan Karaman and Moussa Ndiaye.
In the home game against Bielefeld, four of them were in the starting lineup. During the match, referee Tobias Reichel stopped the game in the 23rd minute so that the players could get food and drinks after sunset.
This practice has been present in Bundesliga matches since 2022, and clubs usually agree to it informally before the start of the match.
The Schalke coach thanked his opponent for their understanding, while adding that fasting still poses an additional challenge for the team.
"A big thank you to Arminia Bielefeld who immediately said 'yes' when it was time for the break. We have six players who are fasting. It's a challenge, but it's a decision of the heart," Muslic said before the start of the match.
He and his players do not eat or drink during the day until sunset, and the time of fasting is determined by sunrise and sunset.
Schalke have been helped by the late start times so far. They played against Magdeburg and Furth at 20:30 p.m., after sunset. However, the next match brings a new challenge. Schalke play Hannover at 13:30 p.m. on Sunday, which means the fasting players will go the entire match without eating or drinking. /Telegrafi/
