Chelsea and Flamengo had to face off in almost unbearable conditions at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia last week during the Club World Cup.
With temperatures soaring to a sweltering 39°C, the state of Pennsylvania declared a ‘Heat Health Emergency’ – meaning specialist cooling centres were opened and water companies were temporarily banned from cutting off service.
But it’s not just the humans of Philadelphia being protected from the heat – it’s the dogs, too.
Sniffer dogs stationed around the stadium have been spotted wearing Crocs to shield their paws from the red-hot pavements.
Chelsea players were reportedly greeted by the unusual sight ahead of their 3-1 defeat to Flamengo, with security protocol requiring all team buses and staff to pass through the same checkpoints as everyone else.
The dogs were given the plastic shoes to avoid burning the sensitive undersides of their feet while working on the blistering surfaces outside.
That’s how hot it’s been. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane said he came off cramping with dehydration after both of his appearances so far, while Borussia Dortmund substitutes reportedly stayed inside the dressing room during their recent match at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati to avoid sitting in the sun-exposed dugouts.
At least the dogs got to beat the heat in style.
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