UEFA has dropped a ‘soft start’ feature of the World Cup that is hated by football fans
Former England goalkeeper, Ben Foster fears that hydration breaks will gradually creep into the Premier League and Champions League.
FIFA’s decision to introduce a three-minute break during each half of the World Cup has faced heavy criticism from football fans.
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This disruption caused the intensity of the games to be disrupted and was criticized by coaches and players alike.
“I don’t like it. I only like it when the conditions are difficult. But when the conditions are good, it’s not necessary,” said USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino.
TV broadcasters in America use breaks and use them as a prime advertising space.
On average, a 30-second World Cup commercial spot on Fox Sports costs between $200,000 and $300,000 (£150,000-£224,000), with prices rising to around $750,000 (£560,000) during the tournament’s final season.
Additionally, the final featured a Super Bowl-style halftime show on Sunday night, which caused FIFA to violate the Laws of the Game.
Time during the biggest game in world football was extended to 27 minutes, surpassing the maximum 15 allowed.
‘The half isn’t even 45 minutes away’
Foster, who has played more than 550 professional games for club and country, spoke exclusively to talkSPORT Drive about how suspension affects athletes’ physical condition.
He said: “If you are an older player it is possible, if you are around 32 years old and above [it will affect you].
“I like to think they have bikes in the locker room because they’re going to have to go faster, because you can get stronger faster.”
He added: “Halfs are no longer even 45 minutes, they are seating areas. It wouldn’t surprise me if these hydration breaks make their way into the Premier League.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all. Where there’s money to be made, there’s a way. They’ll find a reason to justify it.”
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Commercial changes
Beyond the extended half-hour of entertainment, FIFA’s hydration breaks – also used in climate-controlled areas – divide football matches into four distinct stages.
Foster believes the change is being driven by money and has warned that domestic leagues, including the Premier League, could follow suit.
Fans are left feeling disempowered as the culture of sport is changed for commercial gain.
Reflecting on how football’s governing bodies are tackling major structural changes despite the disapproval of many fans, Foster referred to the use of VAR as a major blueprint.
He said: “There is nothing we can do as football fans to stop it, they introduced VAR and we all hate it.
“I can finish it tomorrow with VAR, but not now because they have put a lot of money into it.
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“They will do a soft launch in the Champions League, for example, you watch. The clubs will say ‘oh we get an extra million’.”
The former Manchester United goalkeeper added: “Teams have been approaching games differently because it’s in the quarters, so you can break it down into four parts. But I hate it.”
UEFA has already ruled out similar measures, and European football’s governing bodies have admitted they do not favor a suspension.
England manager Thomas Tuchel previously said they were ‘disrupting and changing the identity of the game of football’.
Laws continued to be broken
FIFA has been under scrutiny throughout the World Cup, facing major controversies both on and off the pitch.
USA striker Folarin Balogun has been suspended for his red card, with President Donald Trump admitting that he called FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and asked him to review the decision.
Throughout the tournament, ticket prices have increased and the allocation for the final has increased to $2.3million (£1.7million).
Additionally, there was a politicization of the international competition, with supporters of several nations unable to enter the country due to the US immigration ban.
This includes Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry at Miami Airport.
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