Shafaqna English- FIFA has, for the first time ever at a World Cup, made water breaks compulsory for every player to shield them from scorching temperatures. Yet this fresh decision has met with negative reactions from diverse groups.
Several experts have cautioned that the upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, is likely to be the hottest on record. To counter this risk, FIFA has made three-minute hydration breaks mandatory in the middle of each half, regardless of temperature or whether the stadiums are covered or air-conditioned.
But some critics feel these intermissions disrupt the game’s rhythm and allow coaches to alter the course of the match in their favor, while some scientists maintain that in scorching conditions, three minutes is insufficient to make any real difference in cooling or rehydration.
Joshua L. DeVincenzo from Columbia’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness stated that the purpose of the three-minute hydration stoppages is to minimize any potential risk that could result in an incident or an emergency situation.
Source: Apnews