Every rule in sports is arbitrary, that's not an argument. If you want to do it properly, ask about the spirit of the game, not the laws - and there's clearly a conflict there.
"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.