FIFA Considering Proposal to Play World Cup Games As Three 30-Minute Periods

If you wanted another reason why Qatar winning the 2022 World Cup bid is a joke, consider this:

To deal with the sweltering conditions in the summertime in Qatar, FIFA is considering a proposal to play 90 minute games over three 30-minute periods if the temperature inside the stadiums exceeds 86F because of the potential health risks involved, reports The Daily Telegraph.

“There is a moderate risk of heat injury to the players between 24C-29C but if you go above that you have high and extreme risk of injury, ” said Michael Beavon, a director of Arup Associates, the company responsible for developing the zero-carbon solar technology intended to cool them, who was speaking to delegates at the Qatar Infrastructure Conference in London.

“The one thing Fifa do say, although it is for guidance, is if it’s 32C they will stop a match and play three 30-minute thirds rather than two 45-minute halves.

“The reason would be to re-hydrate the players before they could carry on playing. That of course would play havoc with TV schedules and those kind of things.

“The commitment from Qatar was to provide conditions in the moderate band, so that matches would go ahead and be played as normal. Matches have to be played at an acceptable temperature and in safety so that Fifa do not intervene.”