Klopp: Football Used to Be the Main Event, Now It's Becoming Background for an Ad Show

Jürgen Klopp has sharply criticized the mandatory cooling breaks during World Cup matches in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. According to the German manager, the sole purpose of these interruptions is to allow broadcasters to air expensive advertisements.

“Football has become a hostage to executives comfortably seated in their air-conditioned offices. These breaks are presented as a shield for player welfare, a noble weapon against the heat. In reality, they are nothing more than a gilded cage built for sponsors. When I see players standing awkwardly during cooling breaks, while TV timeouts dictate the rhythm of the match, I can't help but ask: who does the World Cup truly serve? The fans? The players? Or the advertisers?

A World Cup match should flow like a river. Instead, we're building dams in the middle so that commercials can be shown. This is dangerous for the spirit of the game. Football used to be the main event, but now it risks becoming background music for an advertising show,” Klopp stated.