French-Moroccan footballer Romain Saiss on Ramadan: 'It's only between you and God'

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender says he focuses on training and playing as usual even while fasting

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Romain Saiss of Wolverhampton Wanderers walks out ahead of the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United at Molineux on April 17, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)

French-Moroccan Romain Saiss of Wolverhampton Wanderers is observing Ramadan this month. Getty Images

Apr 23, 2021

Premier League footballer Romain Saiss describes Ramadan as the best time to ask God for forgiveness for mistakes and to spend time with family.

The French-Moroccan player was asked in an interview with BBC3 to explain the holy month to people who might not understand what it was.

Saiss is fasting for Ramadan but says that he never adjusts his training schedule or attitude – even if, as the presenter RamboFYI suggested, he has to deal with the England and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford running at him.

Debut on #MOTDx chatting to Romain Saiss about Ramadan, fasting & his faith.
Something really close to my heart about this piece. 🙏🏽❤️⁣
It’s available on iPlayer now or watch it tomorrow 7pm BBC2! ⁣@BBCMOTD pic.twitter.com/XtiAAIAnes
— Nubaid (@RamboFYI) April 22, 2021

“Whatever the day, you have to take it as a normal day because if you start thinking, for example, that tomorrow I have a big training session and I’m fasting, it will be harder," he said on the BBC’s online MOTDx Sports programme.

"Mentally, you will go down. So, the point is to keep the same mentality."

The Wolverhampton Wanderers defender added that not everyone who observed the religious custom of abstaining from food and water during daylight hours approached it in the same way.

“Some people sleep all day," the 31-year-old said, laughing. "We are all different. It’s only between you and God.”

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Romain Saiss of Wolverhampton Wanderers and David McGoldrick of Sheffield United compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United at Molineux on April 17, 2021 in Wolverhampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Geoff Caddick - Pool/Getty Images) — Romain Saiss of Wolverhampton Wanderers and David McGoldrick of Sheffield United during the Premier League match this month. Getty Images

Saiss, who is also captain of the Moroccan national team, mentioned that the odd tempting cake or doughnut had been brought in to celebrate teammate birthdays, such as that of Leander Dendoncker this week.

He added, though, that he would never ask anyone to change things just for him. “So, he [Dendoncker] brought cakes but obviously I am not going to say to them: ‘Hey, don’t eat in front of me.’

"They respect me, I have to respect them.”

Other Muslim footballers who have publicly observed Ramadan include Liverpool players Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.