MIAMI: Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa has criticised the hydration breaks introduced at the FIFA World Cup, arguing that they add nothing to the game and undermine football’s traditional identity.
FIFA implemented mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half due to the extreme temperatures being experienced across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. While the measure has been introduced to protect players’ welfare, it has divided opinion among coaches, players and supporters.
Critics argue that the breaks effectively divide matches into four quarters and primarily benefit broadcasters by creating additional opportunities for commercial advertising, a move that many football purists believe detracts from the sport’s essence.
Speaking to reporters, Bielsa said the change fundamentally alters the way football is played and perceived.“Playing four times instead of two alters the conception of what had been culturally built to interpret football,” Bielsa said.
