Pep Guardiola pleads for respect after Leeds fans celebrate Ramadan break as Manchester City win
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called for greater tolerance and understanding after Leeds United fans called for a temporary break in the game aimed at allowing Muslim players to break Ramadan quickly.
The incident happened during City’s 1-0 win at Elland Road, when the game was stopped in the 13th minute to accommodate the players who were observing the holy month.
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Pep Guardiola talking to Leeds fans about stopping the Ramadan fast break
After sunset at approximately 5:42 PM, the referee stopped play for 78 seconds to allow the players, including City’s Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Omar Marmoush, to drink fluids and eat.
Despite the clear message displayed on the stadium’s big screen, jeers erupted from the home stands.
“It’s a modern world, isn’t it?” a frustrated Guardiola told the media after the game.
“Respect religion, respect diversity, that’s the point. The Premier League said you can have a minute or two for the players to do it. This is what it is, unfortunately. Where’s the problem?”
Guardiola confirmed that the suspension was important for the well-being of his players, noting that Cherki and Aït-Nouri did not eat all day and needed to take vitamins and hydration to continue competing at the highest level.
Kick it Out release statement
Anti-racism organization Kick It Out issued a scathing statement following the match, calling the reaction of the Elland Road crowd “deeply disappointing”.
“It is very disappointing that some Leeds United fans went on a rampage when the Manchester City players took off their first half shirt at Elland Road this evening.
Suspending the game to allow Muslim players to relax their diet during Ramadan has been an agreed rule for several years now. It is an important and visible part of making the game acceptable to Muslim players and communities.
But as tonight’s reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance.”
Kick It Out Statement:
It is very disappointing that some Leeds United fans went on a rampage when Manchester City’s players broke out in the first half of the game at Elland Road this evening. This added to the fact that the description was displayed in a large area…
— Kick It Out (@kickitout) February 28, 2026
Pep Guardiola has recently been very vocal about world affairs
The Spaniard’s comments are part of a growing trend of him using his platform to address social and humanitarian concerns.
In recent weeks, Guardiola has been outspoken, previously opposing Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments about the arrival and speaking passionately about the international conflicts in Palestine, Ukraine and Sudan, leading to speculation about his future at the club.
By calling for “respectable” behavior in the stadiums, Guardiola continues to position himself as the leading voice of cultural empathy within the sport, stressing that the Premier League’s strength lies in its international diversity.
