How does it violate the laws of the game?
Every single break time decision in football is arbitrary already.
Every single break time decision in football is arbitrary already.
"Players are entitled to an interval at half-time, not exceeding 15 minutes; a short drinks break (which should not exceed one minute) is permitted at the interval of half-time in extra time. Competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval and it may be altered only with the referee’s permission."
You could argue that that this rule allows referees to extend the half-time break.
In any case it's clear that the WC referee had no role in the scheduling of those half-time antics.
Surely the ref had to rubber stamp it.