FIFA reverse decision to scrap hydration break after Mexico vs Ecuador delayed due to electrical storm

Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP via Getty ImagesFIFA had confirmed that they would scrap the hydration break during Mexico’s World Cup round of 32 tie against Ecuador, only to reverse their decision moments later.

>Kick-off was delayed at the Azteca Stadium due to an electrical storm in the area that prevented the players from going onto the pitch to warm up.

>In the end, they were forced to push back the time by an hour, affecting the controversial hydration breaks for the first time.

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesHydration breaks to remain for Mexico vs EcuadorHydration breaks have been the main talking point of the World Cup, mainly for the wrong reasons.

>It looked like they were going to be removed from the game for the first time but, after Mexico went out onto the pitch to warm up, the decision was reversed and they were reinstated.

The three-minute break scheduled in the first half and second half has come under scrutiny after being used in stadiums with air conditioning, or places where the temperature isn’t that hot.

>Others have said it ruins the flow of the game while there have also been complaints about it being used as an advertising opportunity.

>A statement explained that they needed to keep it in place for all of the games to ensure things remained fair, but it appears that the football governing body have bent their own rules to accommodate this.

>It is the second time that a game has been delayed due to the weather at this summer’s tournament.

>France’s group game against Iraq was delayed by two hours due to safety concerns before they were eventually able to play.