The Premier League is considering a temporary rule change for the final day of the season, with mandatory water breaks potentially being introduced due to forecasted extreme heat. The UK has experienced temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius in recent days, prompting concerns for player welfare.
Potential Water Breaks on Sunday
According to Sky Sports, drinks breaks could be enforced if the temperature exceeds 30 degrees before the 4pm kick-offs on Sunday. All ten matches on the final day are scheduled simultaneously, with significant implications for European qualification and relegation.
This would not be the first time water breaks have been used in the Premier League. They were introduced during the delayed 2019/20 season, which took place in summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and also at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Arsenal's Title Celebration
Newly-crowned champions Arsenal will face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, where they will lift the trophy after the match. Manager Mikel Arteta stated: "We have 48 hours to enjoy the success of winning the league. Now, tomorrow and Saturday, we're going to prepare really well because we need to lift our habits and standards to be in the best possible way to compete."
Arteta added: "On Sunday, we'll have a little window there again to celebrate, to lift the trophy in a manner that it deserves, to connect with the people who are constantly around us. But then we have six days that we need to write a new history in this football club."
Guardiola's Final Game
This weekend also marks Pep Guardiola's final match as Manchester City manager. Despite being unable to secure another Premier League title, Guardiola expressed confidence in his team's performance in warm weather, noting after a victory over Chelsea: "The sun. I'm not joking. The sun. In Manchester there is never the sun. If the sun arrived in November, we would be champions in January. Honestly, the mood is better."
The Premier League will monitor conditions closely and make a final decision on water breaks before kick-off.
