Egyptian Clubs Association angered by Egyptian Premier League water-break decision

The Egyptian Clubs Association has expressed its displeasure after water breaks were removed from matches in matchweek seven of the Egyptian Premier League.

Three games were played on Monday without the intervals that had previously been held midway through both the first and second halves.

FilGoal.com had earlier reported, citing a source from the Referees Committee, that the breaks would be discontinued from the start of matchweek seven.

The association is understood to be unhappy that the Referees Committee made the decision without consulting the body responsible for organising the competition.

It has contacted the Egyptian Football Association and the Referees Committee to request the return of the breaks, which it believes are linked to the league’s commercial rights under the competition regulations.

The association’s position is that the interval is not solely intended to allow players to drink water. It also forms part of the league’s advertising and commercial arrangements. If the breaks are not reinstated, advertisers will impose penalties, according to information obtained by FilGoal.com.

The removal of water breaks is not unprecedented in domestic football. A similar decision was taken towards the end of January 2026.

Water breaks were first introduced at the 2014 World Cup during the match between Mexico and Netherlands, when temperatures in Brazil reached 39 degrees Celsius.

Under the laws issued by the International Football Association Board, competition regulations determine the weather conditions in which water breaks may be permitted. Temperature and humidity are identified as the main factors to be considered.

The laws also state that, where a competition has no specific provisions, common sense should be applied when temperatures and/or humidity are high. The referee then decides whether a break is required.

FIFA has approved three-minute breaks midway through each half at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada because of the high temperatures expected at the tournament’s venues.