Sierra Leone Premier League Board Introduces Mandatory Cooling Breaks Amid Rising Heat
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo The Sierra Leone Premier League Board (PLB) has introduced mandatory cooling breaks in every Premier League match, requiring referees and clubs to provide players with opportunities to rest and rehydrate as temperatures rise across the country.
The directive takes immediate effect and applies to both halves of all league matches, according to a public notice issued Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, by the PLB Secretariat at 21 Battery Street, Kingtom, Freetown.
The board said the measure is intended to protect players’ health and safety during matches played in hot conditions.
All clubs, referees, match commissioners and other stakeholders have been instructed to follow the new directive.
The decision comes amid unusually high temperatures during Sierra Leone’s dry season, with residents in Freetown also experiencing difficulties sleeping because of the heat and power outages.
Footballers face additional risks because of the physical demands of a 90-minute match, particularly when games take place under intense sunlight.
Playing in temperatures of 32 to 35 degrees Celsius can increase the risk of dehydration, dizziness, muscle cramps and heat exhaustion. Severe cases can lead to heatstroke, which requires urgent medical attention.
Most Premier League matches currently kick off at 4:15 p.m., when temperatures may still be high. Players in cities such as Bo, Kenema, Makeni and Port Loko may also face challenging conditions during afternoon fixtures.
Cooling breaks allow players to stop briefly during a match to drink water and recover from the heat. The referee oversees the stoppage, which is intended for player welfare rather than tactical discussions.
Under commonly used cooling-break arrangements, stoppages may take place around the 25th to 30th minute of the first half and the 70th to 75th minute of the second half. They generally last between 90 seconds and three minutes, depending on the applicable competition rules.
Players can use the breaks to drink water and cool down with wet towels or ice packs where available.
The PLB has not specified a temperature threshold for activating the breaks. Instead, its directive makes them compulsory for every Premier League match, regardless of the conditions.
Sierra Leone’s decision follows a comparable measure introduced by the Football Association of Malawi on Oct. 23.
The Malawian association ordered cooling breaks during matches in its Super League as temperatures reached 42 degrees Celsius. It also adjusted kick-off times from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and directed clubs to provide sufficient drinking water and keep medical personnel available.
Meanwhile, FIFPRO, the international football players’ union, has advocated more frequent breaks and longer half-time intervals to help players manage body temperature and reduce the risks associated with extreme heat.
Concerns about heat exposure have also extended to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with several host locations facing potential risks from high temperatures.
The PLB’s decision places additional responsibilities on match officials and participating clubs.
Referees will need to account for time lost during cooling breaks when determining stoppage time. Clubs must also ensure players have access to sufficient drinking water, ice and shaded technical areas.
Medical teams should be prepared to identify and respond to signs of heat-related illness during matches.
Coaches are also expected to respect the purpose of the breaks, which is to protect players rather than provide extra time for tactical instructions.
The effectiveness of the new measure will depend on how consistently clubs and match officials implement it throughout the league season.