Two drinks breaks were called in Sydney’s clash with Western United despite heavy rainfall.Credit:Getty
“The decision for a cooling break is purely welfare related,based on the wet-bulb globe temperature,and not linked to commercial considerations.”
Network Ten and the APL,owners and operators of the A-Leagues,have come under criticism from fans,players,coaches and referees for using the drinks breaks rule to stop play for up to 90 seconds to allow an ad to be screened during free-to-air games on Saturday nights. Previously,drinks breaks in Australia were permitted only for games played in hot and humid conditions as part of Football Australia’s heat policy.
Following the backlash,APL chief Danny Townsend suggested an agreement had been reached with Ten to not use drinks breaks to run commercials.
APL chief Danny Townsend says drinks breaks won’t be used for commercial breaks any more.
“From the moment that started to play out,our commitment was to sit down with Ten and work out a solution that would ensure that didn’t happen again,” Townsend told SEN radio on Tuesday night. “After further conversations today,we’ve had a mutual commitment that we won’t be having those breaks in play – the premeditated breaks in play.”
However,ad breaks will still occur during live coverage,with the APL and Ten having agreed to allow at least one ad break per live game as part of their five-year broadcast deal.
“Ten will continue to get advertising away in natural breaks in play,which was the intention from the start of the season,” Townsend told SEN.