As players battle high temperatures at the FIFA World Cup in North America, a measure introduced to protect their well-being has become one of the tournament's most debated topics.
FIFA has made three-minute hydration breaks mandatory midway through each half of every match, regardless of weather conditions.
The governing body says the policy ensures consistent treatment across the tournament and reflects lessons from previous competitions played in hot conditions.
The rule has drawn criticism from some of football's most prominent figures, who argue that it changes the dynamics of matches. Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa has emerged as one of the leading opponents. He said the stoppages disrupt the rhythm of games, effectively dividing them into four periods instead of two.
"They add nothing and take away a lot," Bielsa said.
