FIFA have defended their use of hydration breaks in every World Cup match after heavy criticism following their rollout during this summer’s tournament. Heavy boos could once again be heard when the match was stopped during England’s second group match against Ghana on Tuesday night.
It comes after the second-half hydration break was scrapped during France’s match vs Iraq on Monday, with the match having been delayed for two hours because of a lightning storm. FIFA were quick to reiterate it was due to exceptional circumstances, and in the balance of “fairness” will push through with hydration breaks in every game.
In a statement posted to social media, football’s governing body said: “For the first time at a FIFA World Cup, hydration breaks have been introduced at all matches. The breaks take place in the 22nd and 67th minutes and last three minutes, which are added on to the stoppage time at the end of each half.”
Meanwhile, president Gianni Infantino has rubbished claims that the breaks’ primary use are to raise advertising revenue from commercial partners.
Eyebrows were raised during the England vs Ghana clash when the match came to a natural stoppage because of a head injury around the 20-minute mark, but the referee stopped players from taking on fluids, and instead played for an extra two minutes before pausing for a break.
Infantino remarked: “The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a competition like the (FIFA) World Cup, played over 39 days, with teams potentially playing eight matches in those 39 days, having a moment to rest is extremely important.
“What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions. And it’s very difficult to accept that a coach might have the opportunity to influence a match by making adjustments simply because it’s hotter, while in another match, where the temperature is slightly lower, the same coach doesn’t have the same opportunity. We want to ensure equal conditions for everyone, and that’s why these breaks are implemented in every match.”
He added: “There is no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed well in advance. So, this is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is purely a sporting matter.”
The hydration breaks are set to continue, regardless of the circumstances, during the remaining group matches and knockout phase encounters.