Leeds fans slammed for booing break in play during Man City clash

Leeds United fans should ‘show a bit of respect’ to Muslim players observing Ramadan after booing a break in play.

That’s according to talkSPORT’s Sunday Edition host Henry Winter, who has slammed supporters for their behaviour.

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During their clash with Manchester City on Saturday, Leeds fans booed as play was paused so that players observing Ramadan – Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait Nouri and Omar Marmoush – could break their fast.

Muslims around the globe will fast from sunrise to sunset if they are observing Ramadan this month, with many players taking part.

The Premier League and EFL have a procedure in place that allows those players to eat and drink at sunset, with teams and officials agreeing at each game whether a pause will be needed.

For Leeds’ meeting with Man City, a pause was taken at a natural point – but this was met with loud jeers from the stands.

It has led to some backlash towards the atmosphere at Elland Road, and Winter is not happy with the booing either.

“It was really poor, by however many Leeds fans it was,” he said.

“If you look at Leeds as a club, their website, the guidelines of how they encourage their fans to behave, zero tolerance against actions like this.”

He continued: “First, there’s an issue with player welfare…these are elite athletes, and I’m sure Leeds have staff, kids in the academy. I think there should be respect shown to the religion.

“But also, these people are elite athletes who have not eaten or broken their fast for 10 hours during daylight.

“Very disappointing from those Leeds fans, I thought it was a disrespect to the religion, but also to professional athletes who need to go and take on nutrition at that point.

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“One of the reasons Leeds are going to stay up is because of their home support, but show a bit of respect.

“Pep’s completely right on it.”

What did Guardiola say?

Winter referenced Man City manager Pep Guardiola‘s opinion on the booing, after he condemned the actions post-match.

He said in his press conference: “It’s the modern world, right? Look at what happens in the world right now again today.

“You have to respect religion and respect the diversity, that is the point. The Premier League said for the fasting you can [spend] one or two minutes doing that, so the players did it.

“It is what it is, unfortunately.”

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Kick It Out statement

Following the booing incident, Kick It Out released a statement to also condemn the behaviour of the Leeds fans.

It read: “It’s massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans booed when Manchester City’s players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road this evening.

“This was compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium.

“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.”