The duration of water breaks during football matches in Azerbaijan has been reduced to one minute, and the procedure for authorizing these breaks has been officially revised.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the announcement was made by Rahim Hasanov, chairman of the AFFA Referees Committee. Under the new regulations, the decision to implement a water break will no longer rest solely with the match officials. Instead, the AFFA representative must inform both teams before the match begins whether a water break will be utilized, after which a one-minute break will be officially declared.
Hasanov emphasized that the necessity of these breaks is determined by prevailing weather conditions. Typically, a water break is mandated when the air temperature reaches 32 degrees Celsius. However, due to high humidity levels in Baku during August, AFFA representatives are now authorized to implement water breaks even when temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius if they deem it necessary for player safety.
The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) frequently reviews match regulations to align with international standards and ensure the health and safety of athletes, particularly during the intense summer heat common in the region.
