On Wednesday, Mainz was playing against Augsburg in Bundesliga when the match was stopped to allow Mainz defender Moussa Niakhate to have break-fast during Ramadan.
Ramadan started in early April and will continue till May, during which those who follow must not drink and eat till the sunsets.
In last week’s match, Matthias Jollenbeck stopped the ongoing match and let Mainz defender Niakhate could hydrate himself and break the fast.
Play was stopped during Augsburg vs. Mainz 05 so Moussa Niakhaté could have a moment to break his Ramadan fast just after sunset 👏 pic.twitter.com/TwfbcpBfn7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 11, 2022
With this event, Referee Matthias made the Bundesliga history as it marked the first time ever a Bundesliga match had been stopped to allow a player to break their fast.
Later, Mainz defender Niakhate took drinks out of two bottles while speaking to Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner.
Mainz’s defender and Mainz fans then cheer the referee for the gesture and ran up to thank the referee by shaking his hand.
Lutz Michael Frohlich, director of communications for the German Referee Committee said, ‘There is no general instruction in this regard, but of course we support our referees allowing such drinking breaks during Ramadan at the request of the players.’
In RB Leipzig‘s vs Hoffenheim match, referee Bastian Dankert allowed Mohamed Siamakan to hydrate himself during the match.
With this gesture, there will be more leagues including the Premier League to allow players do to the same.
Football fans all over the world have enjoyed the moment and do appreciate the help from the officials
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