Soccer: Fifa consider drink breaks

Players at the World Cup finals could be allowed to take two water breaks during every game, under proposals put to the sport's governing body.

Fifa have been urged to allow players two 90-second water breaks during each 90-minute match, splitting every game into quarters rather than the traditional two halves.

The move, aimed at preventing players suffering dehydration in the heat of Japan and South Korea, is seen by some cynics as a ploy to allow TV companies to show adverts.

Fifa is set to examine the proposals at a meeting in Zurich.

"We are looking to give the players a short break to allow them to go to the sidelines for a drink," FIFA general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen told the Daily Star.

"We must not endanger them," he added.

Former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton, reprimanded for trying to ensure his players were given water during matches at the 1994 World Cup in America, said: "It's common sense to let players get their drinks down them in a hot climate."