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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jamie Kemble

Premier League drinks breaks explained - when will they be and for how long

Fans watching Man City take on Arsenal tonight will see a new innovation as the Premier League returns after a three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The long wait is almost over but football will inevitably look very different with no fans, and social distancing measures still in place.

And we now have another new item to add to proceedings with Premier League clubs approving water breaks this week.

Here's what you need to know

What are the water breaks?

Premier League clubs have now approved the breaks which are intended to help players as they return from a three-month break from action.

Not only are players going straight back into full-pace games, packed into a condensed schedule, but they are doing so in heat they don't often play in.

The water breaks will be mandatory, so we should see every player head over to the sideline when the referee signals for a cooling break.

When will they be?

The breaks will be at the referee's discretion, but as close to the middle of each half as possible.

The referee is set to choose the best moment for the break to take place in each half with two breaks across the 90 minutes.

We have already seen water breaks elsewhere with La Liga holding the stoppages at the 30th and 70th-minute marks.

Will they be safe?

The water breaks will still abide by the strict health and safety regulations amid concerns around coronavirus.

Each player will have his own designated water bottle ready for the water break to make sure there is no sharing and indeed no potential spreading of the virus.

Water bottles are also expected to be handed to players rather than each player reaching into a basket and retrieving their bottle, potentially making contact with those of other players.

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