A test for Yamal. Barcelona’s La Liga matches set for 16:15 during Ramadan
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
The scheduling of Barcelona’s La Liga matches at 16:15 has sparked heated debate. For the third consecutive time, the team has been given a daytime slot, prompting questions from both fans and some pundits who argue that this timing is far from ideal for the squad’s preparation or for stadium attendance.
Much of the discussion centers around the impact of Ramadan. Winger Lamine Yamal is a practicing Muslim, and during the holy month, he observes a fast from dawn until sunset. Matches set for the afternoon fall squarely within the hours when the player must abstain from both food and water, inevitably placing extra physical strain on his body.
It’s worth noting that Barcelona as a club is understanding of such circumstances and tries to accommodate the individual needs of its players. However, La Liga’s fixture calendar is organized centrally, meaning the club doesn’t always have a say when it comes to the timing of its matches.