'Structured support was necessary'
An in-game break is at the discretion of the referee and match commissioner. The referee will allow a break to occur when the ball is out of play in a neutral position, ensuring minimal disruption to the game.
The journey to in-game fasting breaks in Australia began with conversations between players and their union. "They shared with us their experiences of balancing professional football with fasting, and it became clear that structured support was necessary," said Co-Chief Executive of Professional Footballers Australia and FIFPRO Asia/Oceania President Beau Busch.
"Previously, players had no formal opportunity to break their fast during matches. By working with stakeholders and exploring what had worked in other football markets, we ensured that players now have that option."
One of the challenges of high-performance athletes observing Ramadan in Australia is going without food and water for significant portions of the day in a hot climate. March, for instance, can see temperatures peak at 25°C in Sydney and 28°C in Brisbane.
"The A-Leagues are played throughout some of the hotter months in summer and autumn, so there are games where heat poses an additional risk to players, even for matches played in the evening. That differentiates us from other leagues in the northern hemisphere which are played in colder climates," said Busch.
"Training is already demanding, and without food or water intake it becomes even more challenging—especially in the later days of Ramadan when players have previously reported that they experience weight loss and fatigue. It’s important that those players' health is monitored and prioritised during this period."
