Court orders cooling breaks

A labor court orders that 2014 World Cup players be given cooling breaks after 30 minutes in each 45-minute half of a soccer match when ambient temperature – which takes into account humidity, wind and actual temperature – exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). FIFA faces a fine of 200,000 Brazilian reais (about $90,000) for every match where there is no break. FIFA says that if the ambient temperature rises above 32 degrees, the match medical officer will recommend three-minute cooling breaks in each half, but that the decision to apply them rests with the referee.