Major League Soccer paused a match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC on Saturday so that players observing Ramadan could break their daily fast at sundown.
FC Cincinnati posted a game update during the match informing followers of the stoppage. “The game is being paused now that it is sundown for players observing Ramadan,” the club wrote.
The pause came days after MLS made a formal announcement about its Ramadan accommodation policy. The league released a statement on Thursday outlining the rules that govern match stoppages tied to the Muslim holy month.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. MLS described it in its statement as “a holy time in which Muslims fast during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset), perform extended prayers, increase their charitable efforts and bring about introspection.”
During Ramadan, observers do not consume food or drinks while the sun is up. Once the sun sets, individuals are permitted to break their fast and resume eating and drinking.
MLS first established its Ramadan pause policy in 2023.
The league confirmed this year that the policy remains in effect and applies to players, coaches, and on-field officials who observe the holiday.
The league stated it anticipates that some players and officials will again fast from sunrise to sundown during the current Ramadan period.
When a player or official is scheduled to break their fast during a match, the league implements what it calls a “drinks break.” This break is triggered by sundown rather than a stoppage in play for any game-related reason.
The process begins before each match. Clubs are required to notify league officials ahead of time if any players or on-field officials are fasting and expect to break their fast during the game.
If those individuals are on the field when sundown arrives, the referee is directed to call a “drinks break” following sundown.
In situations where sundown falls within minutes of a scheduled kickoff, MLS said a delayed start may be implemented instead of a mid-match stoppage.
The policy covers players, coaches, and officials alike.
Any individual on the field who is observing the fast and set to break it during the course of a match falls under the accommodation.
MLS framed the policy in its statement as a matter of athlete support. “This initiative not only acknowledges the importance of Ramadan for those who observe but also showcases the league’s commitment to supporting its athletes, coaches and officials in maintaining their spiritual and physical well-being,” the league said.
The Saturday match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC became one of the visible examples of the policy being carried out during the 2025 MLS season.
