Wesley Fofana thanks Premier League after being allowed to break Ramadan fast during match

Wesley Fofana thanks Premier League after being allowed to break Ramadan fast during match

Wesley Fofana broke his Ramadan fast during a Premier League match against Crystal Palace

The Leicester vs Crystal Palace match saw something extraordinary taking place in the Premier League taking place this season. The match was paused at the half-hour mark to allow Weslet Fofana and Cheikhou Kouyate break their Ramadan fast.

The incident is believed to be the first of its kind in the Premier League. Both Leicester City and Crystal Palace had decided pre-match with referee Graham Scott that the match would be stopped in between.

Fofana and Kouyate were allowed to have food during an interval in the first half of the match

Fofana has managed to continue playing during the fasting period and has maintained his high standards despite not taking in any food or drink during daylight hours. Most Muslim players continue their fast throughout their matches because of their Islamic tradition and still manage to maintain their level at the biggest stage of football.

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Fofana thanked Crystal Palace and the Premier League to consider the plight of Muslim footballers and allow him to break his fast during the match. Vicente Guaita, the Palace keeper delayed taking a goal-kick to accommodate time for his fellow players to have their food pitch-side.

Brendan Rodgers took off Fofana at the hour-mark and praised his spirit to play matches despite his fast.

Rodgers said, “I’ve worked with lots of players with devotion to their faiths and for a lot of the guys it gives them strength. He’s finding an incredible strength to play continuously and train during Ramadan. He’s a special talent and a big player for us.”

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