Water breaks to be permanent?

[Frimley111R]

Anyone else thinking this is a first step into splitting matches into quarters to boost advertising?

[LHRFlightman]

It won't be around once the virus has gone.

[48k]

OP are you making a statement or asking a question? I can't see any mention of a permanent rule change having been implemented?

[Blatter]

The cynic in me thinks that the water break is a precursor to splitting the game into quarters to enable more advertising.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Nothing new, we've had them at World Cups in summer, due to high temperatures. They never became permanent after those.

[Frimley111R]

Blatter said:

The cynic in me thinks that the water break is a precursor to splitting the game into quarters to enable more advertising.

Yes, this was what I meant. IIRC in one world Cup they were wanting to have commercial breaks more often as they felt they were losing advertising revenue over such long 45 minute periods. These pointless 'water breaks' just feel like they are testing the water. Next thing they'll be 5 min and all of a sudden its adverts time.

[fiatpower]

You might get it in the MLS as Americans love anyway of making extra revenue. Potentially in the World Cup too (assuming it was going to be done in Qatar anyway) but I cannot see it happening in more traditional leagues in Europe. They are usually very resistant to change.

[semisane]

48k said:

OP are you making a statement or asking a question? I can't see any mention of a permanent rule change having been implemented?

Its a question - hence the question mark !!

I am not sure drink breaks would be warranted in the depths of winter in the UK.

Hopefully just a covid / summer time requirement.

[cuprabob]

semisane said:

I am not sure drink breaks would be warranted in the depths of winter in the UK.

The water could be replaced with Bovril