France football fed says matches 'must not be paused' for Muslim players to break Ramadan fast

The French Football Federation (FFF) has said it will prohibit the pausing of matches during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that allow Muslim players to break their fast, French media reports said Friday.

In an email sent to referees across France, the FFF’s Federal Commission of Referees said that "match interruptions do not respect the provisions of the Statutes of the FFF".

"The idea is that there is a time for everything. A time to do sport, a time to practise one's religion," Eric Borghini, head of the federal referee commission at the Federation, told AFP.

#Ramadan/#Football : La décision de la @FFF de refuser des pauses pour permettre aux joueurs de rompre le jeûne constitue une manifestation claire de l'intolérance et de la xénophobie, et une violation flagrante de la liberté religieuse ! pic.twitter.com/csJt0Zoow6

— Ali KETTANI (@Alikettanii) March 31, 2023

The email also referred to the charter of ethics of football which emphasis that "a football field, or any sporting venue" are not places to exercise "political and religious expressions", bur rather places where "neutrality, secularism and non-discrimination" must be implemented.

The statement said it had been brought to the footballing body’s attention that matches were allegedly being interrupted for the breaking of the Ramadan fast.

The federation had learned that "a certain number of amateur-level meetings have been stopped to allow players observing the fast to hydrate".

The FFF also warned that  "disciplinary and/or criminal proceedings" would be issued should referees not comply with the email’s orders. 

The French footballing body’s decision has been criticised by footballers, journalists and activists alike, who said that the move was "a clear manifestation of intolerance and xenophobia".

Voici la story Instagram de ce bonhomme que l'on appelle @LucasDigne https://t.co/lBOLKGnlG6 pic.twitter.com/wdpP6gBbLw

— kacem de bordeaux (@kacembordeaux) April 1, 2023

Many also drew comparisons with other European football leagues’ approaches to Muslim players’ religious obligations during Ramadan.

Last week, it was announced that English Premier League match officials were asked to provide Muslim footballers with the opportunity to break their fast during evening matches throughout the Ramadan period, according to Sky News.

The German football league paused a Bundesliga match during the holy month last year, allowing Mainz’s Moussa Niakhaté to break his fast.

In reaction to the FFF’s decision, French coach and former player Didier Digard said: "In England, they are more open-minded than we are on the subject, which has always [been the case], it would be nice if France could do the same".

Aston Villa left-back and French international Lucas Digne said on his Instagram page: "In 2023 we can stop a match for 20 minutes over a [game] decision but not for one minute to drink some water".

Last week, the French football federation had requested that Muslim players postpone fasting for a few days until the end of the national team’s matches during the holy month, the French sports daily L’Equipe reported.

The team’s staff made the demand so that the French team’s performances "wouldn't be affected" as Les Bleus tackled The Netherlands and Ireland during Euro 2024 qualification matches on 24 and 27 March, respectively.

Policies described as Islamophobic have often been implemented in France in the name of secularism - also known as laïcité. Bans on Muslim articles of clothing have been in place as far back as 2004.

Meanwhile, in 2021, France’s top court approved a controversial anti-separatism bill, which gives the government extended powers over religious freedom in the country.

Many condemned the bill, which was passed by France’s National Assembly, saying that it targeted the country’s Muslim minority, who number at roughly 3.5 million.