Soccer fans in the US and Canada booed hydration breaks during World Cup matches, signaling their discontent with the innovation. The breaks, introduced to help players cope with heat and humidity, have been met with criticism from fans who feel they disrupt the game’s flow.

The mandatory three-minute breaks, one in each half, were first introduced at this World Cup. Critics argue that they kill the momentum of the game, while others see them as a ploy to allow broadcasters more opportunities to show adverts.

Reactions from Coaches and Fans

England fans had announced on social media that they would express their objection to the breaks during their team’s match against Croatia. The boos started from both sets of supporters as soon as the referee blew the whistle to signal the break.

Similarly, in Toronto, fans booed during the hydration break in the match between Ghana and Panama. Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said, ‘If you have a break, it’s to do corrections. It was not hot, but we have to accept that the advertisers on television are what’s paying for all these things.’

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.