Jurgen Klopp has never been the type to bite his tongue, and his latest broadside suggests that life away from the dugout has done nothing to soften his edges.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager has launched an attack on one of FIFA’s ongoing rules, and his words are about as brash as you’d expect from the German.

Klopp was speaking on the set of German television channel ZDF when the subject of cooling breaks came up. FIFA have kept the measure in place for the 2026 World Cup as a precautionary response to the summer heat across North America, framing it as a protective mechanism for player welfare.

It’s something that’s been in place since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, applying to any match that’s played in heat measuring at least 32 degrees, but Klopp wasn’t buying it.

Jurgen Klopp’s Verdict on FIFA’s Cooling Breaks

The 58-year-old didn’t mince his words, as you’d expect. Discussing the hydration breaks, which now require the action to stop for three minutes, he said (per L’Equipe):

Describing the breaks as a “shield for player well-being, a noble sword against the heat” that are “nothing more than a gilded cage built for sponsors.”

His central concern was the damage these stoppages do to the flow of the game. “A World Cup match should flow like a river,” he said.

“Instead, we’re building dams right in the middle so that advertisements can pass through. It’s dangerous for the spirit of the game. Football used to be the main event, but now it risks becoming the background music for an advertising spectacle.”

Irony of Jurgen Klopp’s Words

Phil Noble via Reuters

There is, of course, a footnote worth acknowledging. Klopp himself is one of the faces of Red Bull. Appearing in numerous commercials for the energy drink brand. The man urging FIFA to keep corporate interests out of football is, by his own admission, no stranger to the advertising world.

It hardly invalidates his argument. Plenty of people can critique a system while operating within it. But it hands his critics an easy line of attack, and in the court of public opinion, notes will be taken.

Newcastle are showing an interest in signing a Liverpool star ahead of the summer transfer window, with the player’s future in doubt.

The Magpies need to ensure they have a strong summer window after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, which saw them finish in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Eddie Howe’s side have notoriously struggled to deal with playing in Europe, finding it difficult to deal with the hectic fixture schedule.

Last summer, Newcastle spent significantly to improve their playing squad, but it’s safe to say that a host of the new additions failed to make the impact desired.

Newcastle need to ensure that their recruitment improves if they want to head back in the right direction.

Newcastle Eyeing Liverpool Star

According to a report from Caught Offside, Newcastle are one of the sides showing an interest in signing Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that Tottenham are prepared to pay in the region of £60m for the Dutch international, with the North London club leading the race ahead of Newcastle.

Gakpo’s future at Anfield is in doubt after a dip in form during the 2025-2026 season. Liverpool are likely looking to improve their attack and options in the summer transfer window, which could push Gakpo further down the pecking order.

Gakpo, described as ‘elite’, does have multiple options if he wants to leave Liverpool this summer, but it remains to be seen whether he is keen on an exit.

Newcastle Need Reinforcements All Over

Newcastle need to bring in reinforcements all over the pitch during the summer transfer window, not just in attack.

It’s also up to Howe to platform these players correctly, as he struggled to get the best out of the likes of Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade during the 2025-2026 season.

It’s certainly been a collective effort in terms of Newcastle’s struggles of late, with the recruitment behind the scenes needing improvement and Howe’s management also making an impact.

It’s an incredibly important window for the Magpies as they need to start to head back in the right direction immediately.

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has accidently ‘leaked’ Alex Pereira‘s pay ahead of his heavyweight debut on the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House and the Brazilian is seemingly being paid a staggering sum.

‘Poatan’ is seeking to make UFC history when he steps into the Octagon on the South Lawn on Sunday night. Already previously a champion at middleweight and light heavyweight, Pereira is stepping up to challenge for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship at the White House.

The 38-year-old will square off with France’s Ciryl Gane in the evening’s co-main event for interim gold, with the winner moving on to challenge full champion Tom Aspinall next.

Alex Pereira Could Make UFC History at the White House

Should Pereira walk away with the title on Sunday night, he will become the only fighter in history to win a UFC championship in three separate weight classes. However, regardless of the result at the White House, he is apparently set to bank a considerable sum.

Cormier leaked Pereira’s pay while trying to agree a wager with the much-loved fighter on the ongoing 2026 World Cup. High on the chances of his native Brazil, Alex tried to convince American Cormier to have a $20,000 bet on the Selecao getting further in the tournament than the USA.

‘DC’ wasn’t happy with the bet size and eventually bargained Pereira down to a $10,000 wager, before declaring that Alex was going to be the highest-paid of all the 14 fighters on this Sunday’s card.

Alex Pereira’s UFC White House Pay ‘Leaked’

Pereira was reported to have made just over $3.5 million for his last fight, where he knocked out Magomed Ankalaev inside a round to regain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

Per Cormier, Alex is set to earn a far larger sum for his fight with Gane this weekend.

“He’s the only one at the White House making $10 million!” Cormier insisted. Pereira smiled when he heard the comment, but never tried to deny it.

The jump in salary is a significant one, but UFC CEO Dana White has already confirmed a massive increase in fight night bonuses for the White House card.

Speaking at Friday’s final press conference, Dana announced that two participants in the Fight of the Night would receive $400,000 each, while Performance of the Night winners are in line to receive $425,000 each.

For all other UFC cards, both bonuses are capped at $100,000 each, having recently been bumped up from $50,000.

Considering his fearsome string ability, Pereira will be among one of the favourites to take home a performance bonus, potentially adding to what will already be a lucrative payday.