Busting the Champions League Pause: A Ramadan Interruption
- ~1 Min Read
Referee halted BVB match due to Ramadan fasting observance - Referee halts Borussia Dortmund match due to Ramadan observance.
Prepare for a unique twist in the Champions League as OSC Lille vs Borussia Dortmund takes a surprising intermission, courtesy of Ramadan! Just eight minutes into the game, the match was momentarily halted due to the sun setting three minutes after kick-off, making referee Sandro Schärer grant a quick 60-second break for the professionals to quench their thirst and munch on a bite.
Expert analyst Tobias Schweinsteiger on DAZN commented, "This is an absolute crucial move to allow this break. People often overlook faith's significance in these players' lives, and it deserves consideration."
Before the match, Coach Niko Kovač acknowledged Ramadan's role in the lineup, leaving left-back Ramy Bensebaini off the starting roster. Kovač emphasized, "As coaches, we support this. It's important that they honor their faith, but we have to ensure we field the energized players."
The Religious Impact on the Champions League
During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity from dawn until sunset each day. Customarily, communities come together for a break-the-fast gathering in the evenings. Fasting during Ramadan represents one of Islam's five pillars – the religion's fundamental duties. After the observance, the Festivities of the Breaking-of-the-Fast, or Sugar Feast, ensue.
- Ramadan
- Champions League
- Borussia Dortmund
- OSC Lille
- Ramy Bensebaini
- Niko Kovač
- Muslim Community
- The Commission has also taken a number of steps to ensure that the Religious Impact on the Champions League, such as the recent OSC Lille vs Borussia Dortmund match interruption due to Ramadan, is given due consideration.
- Similar to the halting of the match between Lille and BVB, influential figures like referee Sandro Schärer and coach Niko Kovač have acknowledged and accommodated the observant Muslim community's practices during Ramadan.
- The Muslim community following Ramadan has an impact on the Champions League, with team coaches like Kovač choosing to leave players like Ramy Bensebaini off the starting roster due to their religious commitments during the holy month.
