Water breaks in the Bundesliga: New rules for hot weather
The Austrian Football Bundesliga is responding to rising temperatures in the summer. In light of the increasing heat during matches in the summer months, there is currently intense discussion regarding the introduction of official water breaks to protect the players' health.
The official rulebook already provides referees with clear options today. In extreme weather conditions, officials are permitted to call a water break of up to one minute. Additionally, a so-called cooling break of up to three minutes is possible if temperatures reach a critical level.
These measures are intended to ensure that players can consume sufficient fluids despite the high physical strain caused by the heat. The decision regarding such an interruption always lies at the discretion of the referee, who assesses the conditions directly on the pitch.
The Bundesliga emphasizes that the safety of the athletes is the top priority. Even though the breaks briefly interrupt the flow of the game, they are considered a necessary means to ensure that professional sports remain fair and safe, even in summer temperatures.