Guardiola Slams Leeds Fans for Ramadan Break Jeers: 'We Live in a Modern World'

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has launched a pointed rebuke at Leeds United supporters who booed a stoppage to permit Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast during Saturday's clash at Elland Road.

Thirteen minutes into the match, play was halted following sunset to allow the fasting players the opportunity to eat and drink. Despite a clear explanation displayed across the stadium's big screen, sections of the home crowd responded with boos.

City secured a 1-0 victory, but Guardiola's post-match comments centred on the supporters' conduct. The Spaniard questioned what objection could possibly exist to the arrangement.

"It is a modern world, right?" Guardiola stated. "What is happening in the world today — respect religion, diversity. That is the point. The Premier League permits one or two minutes for the fasting players. It is what it is, unfortunately. We took on some vitamins because Rayan Cherki and Rayan Aït-Nouri did not eat today. What is the problem?"

City had four players observing Ramadan: Omar Marmoush, both Rayans (Ait-Nouri and Cherki), and Abdukodir Khusanov. Guardiola stressed that his squad's preparation accounts for the religious observance and that none of his players were experiencing this for the first time.

"They follow this religious tradition," he explained. "We have good nutritionists and they adapt to what the team needs. We cannot alter the Premier League's kick-off times, and they are accustomed to it. Both Rayans, Omar and Khusa — they are not young and have been playing for many years during this period. It is not new for them."

Leeds assistant manager Edmund Riemer stood in for head coach Daniel Farke, who received a red card, at the post-match briefing. Riemer acknowledged the incident and described the response as "disappointing," committing the club to improvement.

"I'm probably the guy who doesn't hear a lot because I'm really focused on the game, but I've heard about it," Riemer said. "Obviously some of the supporters did it, so we try to learn from it. It's disappointing. We need to do better next time."

Anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out condemned the jeers as "massively disappointing," particularly given that the rationale for the stoppage had been communicated to supporters beforehand.

"This was compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium," the charity stated. "Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now. It's an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players and communities. But as tonight's reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance."