Guardiola urges respect following boos for Ramadan fasting pause

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has urged greater respect for diverse cultures after fans booed a brief halt in play so his team could end their Ramadan fast in a 1-0 victory over Leeds.

Players Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait Nouri and Rayan Cherki drank fluids during the stoppage around the 12 minute mark at Elland Road while Abdukodir Khusanov another Muslim in the squad sat on the Manchester City bench.

Muslims around the globe observe the sacred month of Ramadan by abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

Over the past few seasons the Premier League has permitted such interruptions once the sun sets enabling athletes to restore their strength.

This is the modern era Guardiola commented after previously raising awareness about the humanitarian crises stemming from wars in Palestine Ukraine and Sudan.

We must honour faiths and embrace variety that is the essence. The Premier League approved a short pause of one or two minutes for the fast so we took it for the benefit of the players he added.

The anti bias group Kick It Out noted that the response from supporters in Leeds a city with one of the UKs biggest Muslim populations highlights ongoing challenges in fostering understanding and inclusion.

Kick It Out stated Its deeply regrettable that certain Leeds United supporters jeered when Manchester Citys players paused to break their fast midway through the first half at Elland Road.

This was made worse since the stadiums large screens provided a clear explanation of the situation.

The episode occurred shortly after authorities launched probes into vile racist harassment aimed at four top flight footballers via social media.

Chelseas Wesley Fofana and Burnleys Hannibal Mejbri faced slurs post a 1 1 stalemate between their teams at Stamford Bridge on February 21.

Wolves Tolu Arokodare and Sunderlands Romaine Mundle encountered similar attacks the next day following defeats for their respective clubs in Premier League fixtures.