The Ramadan period brings varying experiences for athletes. Africa Top Sports recently reported on the tailored fasting routine of Togolese international Alaixys Romao.
In a video, a Senegalese referee delays the resumption of a match (Casa Sport vs. Yeggo, 25th day of the Senegalese Ligue 1) by 15 minutes to break his fast. Despite the audience’s calls urging him to restart the match, the referee remains steadfast. He takes a moment to enjoy some dates and quench his thirst before blowing the whistle to resume the game.
According to Ousseynou Gueye, a referee who observed the scene from the stands, “Legally, it is not permitted to stop a match to break the fast. But we can take advantage of a stoppage in play to satisfy a health need. The human body needs water.”
