European governing body UEFA will not mandate hydration breaks in the Champions League next season after critics said the World Cup stoppages were changing the momentum of matches and being used by coaches to tweak tactics.
World football body FIFA decided all games at the World Cup in North America should have hydration breaks midway through the first and second halves because of high temperatures and player welfare concerns.
But the stoppages are even happening in stadiums with roofs and air conditioning, leading many pundits to complain that the breaks are partly so that television firms can broadcast more adverts.
UEFA told German broadcaster ARD on Wednesday that hydration breaks in the Champions League would only happen when there are extreme temperatures.
English Football Association chief Mark Bullingham had already laughed off the idea of having them at UEFA's Euro 2028 held in the British Isles given their famously bad weather.
The German Bundesliga has also said there are no plans to introduce drinks breaks, other than when the hot weather demands it.
US sports such as NFL and NBA are split into quarters anyway, allowing broadcasters more time for advertisements.
