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Pep Guardiola has condemned the fans who booed a stoppage in Manchester City's clash with Leeds which allowed Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan. Play was halted in the 13th minute of City's 1-0 win at Elland Road as the sun began setting.

As players made their way over to the touchline, a section of supporters jeered. A message on the big screen read: "As tonight's match takes place during the holy period of Ramadan play has been paused briefly to allow players to break their fast."

The timing of the break was agreed before Saturday's Premier League fixture by both captains. In light of the boos, Guardiola has called on fans to 'respect religion and diversity'.

"It is a modern world, right?" Guardiola said post-match. "[You see] what is happening in the world today. Respect religion, diversity, that is the point.

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"The Premier League says you can have one or two minutes, you can have for the [fasting] players to do it [break their fast]. It is what it is, unfortunately.

"We took on a little bit of vitamins because [Rayan] Cherki, [Rayan] Ait-Nouri did not eat today. No more than that. The question is, can they do it or not? What is the problem?"

Anti-racism charity Kick it Out issued a statement on the reaction to the stoppage, emphasising that the protocal has been in place since 2021. "It is massively disappointing that some Leeds United fans jeered when Manchester City's players broke their fast during the first half of the match at Elland Road," they said.

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"This was compounded by the fact that an explanation was displayed on a big screen inside the stadium. Pausing the game to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan has been an agreed protocol for several years now.

"It's an important and visible part of making the game welcoming for Muslim players and communities. But as tonight's reaction shows, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance."

Muslims taking part in Ramadan abstain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. The Premier League first introduced stoppages in 2021 in order to allow players to take nutrients on board. Ramadan began last week and will end on the evening of Thursday, March 19.

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