Hydration breaks stopped Carabao Cup ties and National League games on the first major weekend of the English football season.
The breaks, which were mandatory at every game at the recent World Cup in Canada, Mexico and United States and consistently booed by fans, were enacted as heat health alerts came into force around the UK.
Temperatures were close to 30 degrees Celsius in and around London and there were first-half hydration breaks in the Carabao Cup ties at Bromley, Gillingham and West Ham.
Games in the north of England were also interrupted with breaks in the Carabao Cup ties at Barnsley and Grimsby, as well as Enterprise National League matches at Carlisle and Chorley.
Despite the furore surrounding World Cup hydration breaks, which critics claimed was introduced by FIFA to allow broadcasters to advertise during games, the interruption of matches during high temperatures is not new to English football.
The protocol has been in place for several years, with the decision taken on an individual basis based on the temperature at the ground.
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The referee agrees breaks with both clubs before kick-off so that everyone involved is aware.
Reading beat League One newcomers Bromley 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with goalkeeper Joel Pereira saving Ethon Archer's spot-kick in the shoot-out in another game interrupted by a hydration break. Josh Stokes had given Reading the lead before Michael Cheek equalised, while Bromley finished with 10 men following Richard Taylor's late red card.
Elsewhere, Luton cruised to a 3-0 win at Gillingham, also interrupted by a hydration break, with Nahki Wells, Benny Benagr and Gideon Kodua scoring.
