It has been confirmed by a Muslim group and German soccer authorities that professional Muslim players who play soccer will be allowed to break their fast in the holy month of Ramadan.

A dispute had arisen between second-division club FSV Frankfurt and Muslim players after the club warned its players not to indulge in fasting.

In the month of Ramadan, devout Muslims indulge in fasting from dawn to dusk and do not even take water during the fast. The club had warned its players not to indulge in any fasting without taking permission from them.

To resolve this issue, the German Central Council of Muslims had to take the advice from Al-Azhar in Egypt. It is the pre-eminent theological institute of Sunni Islam.

Al-Azhar pointed that if a player is under a contract to perform and if it is the only source of income for him and he has to play during the month of Ramadan, and if fasting can have an impact on his performance, then the player is allowed to break his fast.

The decision was also welcomed by the European Council for Fatwa and Research.

The German Central Council of Muslims pointed that it will allow Muslim football players to fast on days when there are no matches and they will also be able to follow their religion.