World Cup Cooling Break - the Twitter reaction

In extreme humidity and temperatures approaching 40°C, The Netherlands and Mexico World Cup teams became a test case for Fifa's new Cooling Break rule – a chance to rehydrate, enjoy a cold towel and perhaps talk tactics.

#coolingbreak was immediately trending on Twitter as users discussed the pros and cons of the decision. Was it necessary? Was it really just a coaching break? If players need a 3-minute break in Brazil, how long will they need in the desert heat of Qatar in 2022? And if they can take a break to cool down why can't Fifa spare a few seconds to look at contentious decisions too?

Plus plenty of silliness, of course...

A contentious decision...

https://twitter.com/nikpostinger/statuses/483288169501446144

Breaking point in Qatar

https://twitter.com/BBCKimGhattas/statuses/483288299302572032
https://twitter.com/NeilHumphreys/statuses/483292371002880000

Where have we seen that before...?

https://twitter.com/nkbelfast/statuses/483291944983232512

Possible improvements?

https://twitter.com/Yasmin_Gooner/statuses/483287002859986944
https://twitter.com/Jonesvision/statuses/483288167840481280

For and against

https://twitter.com/iamsuperbianca/statuses/483287164889739264

Good to see players treated like human beings and allowed to have a drink. #Scorchio #CoolingBreak

— MickeyTHFC (@Mickeyleon75) June 29, 2014

The #CoolingBreak for me is a bad idea, it kills the momentum of the the game. It is not for football

— Ramsey D Great! (@HRH_Prime) June 29, 2014

https://twitter.com/MarySeeYouEnTee/statuses/480842753421901824
https://twitter.com/snkrface/statuses/483293053617070080
https://twitter.com/ninoamigo/statuses/483287436986826753
https://twitter.com/Jason_marriner1/statuses/483287194891993088

It’s really a coaching break...

https://twitter.com/MUFCSparesHOME/statuses/483287773395570688
https://twitter.com/Jonesvision/statuses/483287329713704960

The Cooling Break is...

...epic...

this #coolingbreak is epic

— Steve Pippens (@ethelpip) June 22, 2014

...confusing...

https://twitter.com/PrincessMarthaD/statuses/483287145491091457