Fans let their dissatisfaction be felt during England’s Group L encounter against Ghana by loudly booing the decision to take a hydration midway through the first half.
The pause, made mandatory by Fifa for every match at this year’s tournament, came just a few moments after a previous stoppage in which England defender Reece James and Ghana striker Jordan Ayew both received medical treatment following a clash of heads.
England had won a throw in as they attempted to break down Ghana’s compact and deep defensive shape with the match still goalless when the hydration break was called.
To make matter worse, rain had poured down in Boston for most of the day leading up to kick off and there were lingering showers by the time the match began with temperatures more similar to conditions in England around 18 degrees celsius.
Fifa has defended this particular hydration break by insisting it is to ensure “equal conditions” for all teams.
A spokesperson added to the Press Association: “We want to ensure equal conditions for everyone and that’s why these breaks are implemented in every match.”
On the positive side, England manager Thomas Tuchel was afforded the opportunity to issue new instructions to his team as the Three Lions resumed the game looking to break the deadlock.
England supporters also booed the hydration breaks during the Three Lions’ opening game of the tournament against Croatia as the stoppages continue to draw criticism.
Fifa decided to mandate that each game of the competition include two three-minute stoppages, one in each half, for the first time at this tournament to help players cope with the intense heat and humidity of the North American summer.
Critics have argued that they severely disrupt the natural flow of the game and are a cynical manoeuvre to divide matches into four quarters, thereby creating more lucrative advertising opportunities for broadcasters.
Boos were also reserved for Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police and is awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Ghana midfielder was refused entry into Canada for the nation’s opening World Cup game but has been allowed into the United States for the next two games.
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