UEFA Maintains Current Heat Break Protocols in Major Competitions
UEFA has confirmed it does not plan to alter its established protocols regarding heat breaks during its competitions, including the 2028 European Championship and the Champions League. This information was relayed to dpa by the German press agency. The current regulations, binding across all UEFA member associations, dictate that referees should implement a break when conditions necessitate.
Specifically, this includes instances where temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius, or when the Wettburg (WBGT) index – measuring heat and humidity – surpasses 32 degrees Celsius. These breaks, typically lasting three minutes, are implemented in the first and second halves of matches. The practice has been a long-standing element of European football, allowing for adjustments to gameplay based on on-field conditions.
Despite this, the interruptions have faced considerable criticism. Following the recent World Cup, referees routinely paused matches for three minutes after the 22nd minute of each half. UEFA not introduceing standardized changes reflects the organization’s continued reliance on referee discretion in managing player welfare within the framework of its rules.
Topics: #uefa #not #introduce
