Numerous players involved
Because of Ramadan: Schalke game interrupted after 22 minutes
March 6, 2026 – 8:01 p.mReading time: 1 min.
The second division game between Schalke and Bielefeld was briefly interrupted. The action was agreed upon in advance.
Referee Tobias Reichel briefly interrupted the game between Schalke 04 and Arminia Bielefeld after 22 minutes. By this time the sun had set and the players, observing the fasting month of Ramadan, were allowed to eat.
“We have seven or eight players who are practicing this fasting month. We support the boys as best we can. The boys who practice this are not doing it for the first time. They know the processes and the flow,” said Schalke coach Miron Muslić before kick-off. While the Royal Blues’ Moussa N’Diaye, Kenan Karaman, Adil Aouchiche and Hasan Kurucay were affected, the Bielefeld players used the interruption for a short drinking break. Both teams had coordinated with the referee team in advance.
There was initially a brief confusion in the stands, but there were no reactions. The procedure is not new in professional football: During Ramadan, evening games were repeatedly interrupted in favor of fasting players.
