FIFA 'not planning' cooling breaks at World Cup games

Fifa is not considering changing kick-off times or adding mandatory cooling breaks during World Cup matches after being sued by Brazil’s athletes’ federation because of health concerns.

Fifa says it spent nearly two years analysing starting times for the tournament in Brazil and always took into consideration the players’ health.

The athletes’ federation filed a lawsuit this week to change kick-off times of the 24 matches scheduled to start at 1pm local time (1600 GMT), saying players would be at risk because of intense heat and humidity in some venues.

It said Fifa must at least introduce two-minute water breaks in each half during those matches.

Fifa said cooling breaks “will not be pre-established” and “will be considered on a match-by-match basis for the 64 matches”.