FIFA’s chief medical officer Jirí Dvorák has confirmed that there will most likely be short water breaks during some matches at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
If necessary the intervals will take place after 30 minutes of each half and will last three to four minutes, with players having time to rehydrate.
Globo Esporte quoted the Czech, he said: “It’s a medical issue. Let’s decide this before every game.
“I do not want to talk much about it. Our main intention is to take care of the players.
“Seven games will happen at the time of day that people consider a high risk. To protect the health, we have ordered intervals at 30 minutes in the first and second half.”
FIFA’s general secretary Jerome Valcke agrees with Dvorák’s suggestion after his team conducted tests on the average temperature in North Brazil.
Dvorák added: “We do not rely on speculation and rumours. We rely on scientific reviews. I, myself, visited Manaus and compared it to the heat of other parts of the world. We are well prepared.”
The seven matches likely to be played in the scorching afternoon heat are stated below:
13th June – Mexico v Cameron
16th June – Germany v Portugal
20th June – Italy v Costa Rica
24th June – Italy v Uruguay
25th June – Bosnia v Iran
26th June – United States v Germany
29th June – Winner of Group B v Runner-up of Group A
