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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Half-time breaks could be extended to 25 minutes as IFAB discuss Super Bowl style change

Football's lawmakers are reportedly considering extending half-time breaks to 25 minutes to accommodate for entertainment shows.

The idea is believed to be influenced by American Football's Super Bowl, famous for having musicians perform at the interval.

The governing body for football in South America, CONMEBOL, are thought to be leading the initiative to improve the spectacle of the Copa Libertadores.

Brazilian rivals Palmeiras and Flamengo face each other in the final of the competition - South America's equivalent of the Champions League - this Saturday.

Increasing the break from 15 to 25 minutes would allow the Champions League and FA Cup finals to cash in on the money-spinning idea.

Should half-time breaks be extended to 25 minutes? Let us know in the comments below!

The Super Bowl is famous for it's half-time shows (REUTERS)

Advertisers are thought to have been charged $5.5million - around £4.1m - to have a 30-second advert during this year's Super Bowl.

According to the Daily Mail, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will briefly discuss the proposal at the end of their meeting on Thursday.

But it's thought the idea will be rejected due to concerns over player welfare, as a longer period of inactivity could increase the risk of injury.

The idea has been slammed by fans on social media, with one tweeting: "Football is slowly turning into an unbearable sport with all these money-grabbing initiatives."

While another supporter wrote: "I'm bored as it is with the 15 minutes, let alone having to wait 25 for the football to start again."

And one fan wrote: "They need to think of the players health, not how much money they can make."

It's believed the IFAB will also discuss the trial of additional permanent concussion substitutes, with most sports already having the law in place.

Rumours suggest the IFAB will extend the trial beyond it's initial end date of August 2022, despite widespread calls for the legislation to implemented.

"This situation needs to be changed quickly," urged Alan Shearer after two Sheffield United players suffered blows to the head against Leeds in April.

Alan Shearer has called for football to introduce concussion substitutes (PA)

"I think it's really unfair on the medical staff. It's putting far too much pressure on them to make a decision and make a decision quickly.

"He should be allowed to come off, be assessed for however long it takes, a temporary sub should be allowed to come on and then if he's allowed to, he comes back on.

"The medics are being rushed into situations which are life-changing and that's not correct. If in doubt, sit them out. It was quite clearly a risk allowing him to go back onto the pitch in the condition he was in.

"That was the ideal scenario where a temporary substitution would work. The medics shouldn't be rushing to make that decision and trying to get the player back on the pitch."

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