Leeds United has issued a plea to its supporters to respect a scheduled pause for players observing Ramadan during Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against Norwich City.
The appeal comes after instances of booing were heard during last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat by Manchester City when the game was temporarily halted for players to break their fast.
Leeds forward Joel Piroe, who is Muslim, is anticipated to feature in Sunday’s match.
In a statement released on Friday, the Premier League club unequivocally condemned the behaviour.
“Leeds United Football Club explicitly condemn any supporters in the home or away sections who actively boo players observing Ramadan and use the protocol in place to break their fast,” the statement read.
The club added: “On Sunday against Norwich City, there is an opportunity to show the very best of Leeds United, and that everyone is welcome at Elland Road.”
Leeds also offered mitigating circumstances for the previous incident, noting that messages explaining the break on the big screen were not visible to approximately a quarter of the stadium.
“This was the first time a match at Elland Road has been stopped to allow players observing Ramadan to break their fast,” the club explained.
“In hindsight, we should have communicated this more clearly ahead of the Manchester City fixture. Some supporters were not aware this would take place.”
Leeds will not have their manager, Daniel Farke, in the dugout when they face his former club this weekend.
Farke has accepted a one-match touchline ban after he was sent off following last Saturday’s loss to City.
Farke appeared to be unhappy with the amount of added time at the end of the second half and ran on to the pitch to confront the referee.
He believes he was undeserving of the red card that followed, but has opted not to appeal the decision.
