Fox will not face any punishment from Fifa for breaking the governing body’s advertising rules during the opening game of the World Cup between Mexico and South Africa last week.
The US broadcaster broke Fifa’s strict guidelines for showing commercials during hydration breaks on the first occasion they were in operation by returning to the live action 10 seconds after play had resumed during the second half at Mexico City Stadium.
Fifa’s tournament regulations, which were given to all rights holders two months ago, state that while broadcasters can show ads during hydration breaks they must return to the match 30 seconds before play resumes.
While Fox’s commercials overran by 40 seconds, the broadcaster is understood to have provided an explanation to Fifa by claiming that it was unaware that referee Wilton Sampaio signaled a hydration break early after Raúl Jiménez scored Mexico’s second goal of the game. As a result Fox was late in cutting to its commercial breaks, which subsequently overran.
Fifa is understood to have accepted Fox’s explanation and will take no action. Fox owns the English-language rights to World Cup games in the US.
While some viewers complained about Fox’s error, there have been no repeat incidents since. Telemundo, the World Cup’s Spanish-language broadcaster in the US, has opted not to cut away to full-screen advertising during hydration breaks, which last for three minutes and take place once in each half regardless of temperature.
Fifa declined to comment.
