Under what circumstances can the referee stop play due to the heat and when was the first one introduced?
Cooling breaks in football have become something we are now used to seeing in most leagues, with even typically colder countries such as England suffering from higher temperatures over recent seasons. The referee now has the power to stop the match specifically so the players can drink water - but what is the story behind them?
When was the first FIFA cooling break?
Cooling breaks were first introduced in the 2014 World Cup, which was held in Brazil. The first game which used the break was Netherlands vs Mexico, in which Portuguese referee Pedro Polenca called a breather after temperatures of 39 degrees celsius were recorded at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza. This break lasted for around five minutes, although things have been sped up over more recent seasons.
What is the minumum temperature to allow for a cooling break?
Official rules state that when the temperature is at least 32ºc (89ºF) during a match, the referee applies the ‘cooling break’: a match interruption intended for the hydration of the players. The usual thing is for these breaks to come around the 25th and 70th minutes, although the times can vary.
An official FIFA statement in 2014 on the matter said “cooling breaks last three minutes in duration are then implemented by the referee at approximately 30 minutes into the run-of-play in both halves of the match (i.e. around the 30th minute and 75th minute respectively). Three minutes will then be added to stoppage time at the end of each half.”
During Euro 2020, the breaks lasted around 90 seconds. As well as the cooling breaks for the players, the stadiums in Qatar will all have air conditioning to battle the high temperatures.
Will we see cooling breaks in Qatar?
Put simply, yes. Estimates say that temperatures during November and December have a typical high of 29ºC (84ºF) but given the rise in global temperatures this year, expect to see the referee stop the match so the players can catch their breath.
irfanspengku
1
Europeans ☕🤣🤣
irfanspengku
0
Europeans ☕🤣🤣
Stickle
0
Cooling breaks are for wimps. We never had cooling breaks growing up and nobody died. Neymar just fakes an injury when he needs a break.
Kiyilprst
0
Good article 💯
Kupbcerstu
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you already claiming I am... you don't even know me ...your racial slurs proves your lack of intellectuality how do you know from where I am and where I went ... you not very smart
maybe u hungry thts why u been mad
Barcelonian99
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i think you never been to europe thats why u act like you know how the temperature feels like
you already claiming I am... you don't even know me ...your racial slurs proves your lack of intellectuality how do you know from where I am and where I went ... you not very smart
Barcelonian99
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Look, Africans are used to hot weather but some countries aren’t that hot and people that live in them aren’t used to that kind of weather.
well said thank you
Imposible
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so weak
Look, Africans are used to hot weather but some countries aren’t that hot and people that live in them aren’t used to that kind of weather.
Kupbcerstu
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yothere's no difference Celcuis stays Celcuis... 39 degrees Celsius stays 39 degrees anywhere in the world shut ya mouth if you don't know what you talking about you probably didn't finish school you idiotic fool
i think you never been to europe thats why u act like you know how the temperature feels like
Barcelonian99
0
No sir, it's not that they are soft, it's just that they understand and value life more than Africans. Cooling breaks reduce risk of dehydration and player deaths on the pitch.
what a racist comment ... Africans have done it for years they didn't die and they healthy as a matter of fact it's not Africans problem that you white people are physically weak
Barcelonian99
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the temperature is not the same bro in south africa 39° is like 36 in the europe meanwhile in europe 39° feels like 41° if u know nothing about the wether just be quiet
yothere's no difference Celcuis stays Celcuis... 39 degrees Celsius stays 39 degrees anywhere in the world shut ya mouth if you don't know what you talking about you probably didn't finish school you idiotic fool
pudceilny
0
so weak
No sir, it's not that they are soft, it's just that they understand and value life more than Africans. Cooling breaks reduce risk of dehydration and player deaths on the pitch.
Kupbcerstu
0
so weak
the temperature is not the same bro in south africa 39° is like 36 in the europe meanwhile in europe 39° feels like 41° if u know nothing about the wether just be quiet
Barcelonian99
2
so weak