Football fans worldwide are not happy about introduction of hydration breaks at World Cup. Spectators in stadiums have been expressing their dissatisfaction with breaks in play by booing and jeering. They are not only ones to express their consternation. Players and managers are less than happy. French manager Didier Deschamps complained about breaks disrupting free-flowing nature and momentum of games. He said: "It's almost four quarters, and before we had two halves." Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk said that stoppages were unnecessary. He lamented sudden interruptions for ad breaks on TV, saying it was "not really" something he wanted in football.
Football's governing body FIFA introduced concept of water breaks last December. It said they would be in every game, regardless of temperatures. Some games in USA have been held under roofs, in climate-controlled conditions. Critics argue that breaks exist primarily for commercial reasons. The BBC reported that average 30-second World Cup ad slot on Fox Sports costs up to $750,000 during high-profile matches. Fox came back late from commercial break during tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa. The BBC added that: "Given financial benefits... it is highly likely that the breaks will remain long-term feature."
