Salvador (Brazil), Dec 4: World football’s governing body, FIFA is set to resist pressure to change kickoff times for next year’s World Cup.
Speaking during a press conference Tuesday, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke rejected fears of stifling tropical heat in some Brazilian cities would put players’ health at risk, reports Xinhua.
“This decision was not taken while seated in the snow of Zurich,” Valcke said of the tournament fixture.
“It was taken based on medical reports taking into account the country’s climate. It could be 12 degrees (Celsius) in Porto Alegre and 28 degrees in Manaus.
“Fixtures were organised so that no match will occur at 1 p.m. in those conditions (28 degrees). We are fully aware of the climatic conditions.”
While the tournament will be held during Brazil’s winter months, temperatures in the cities of Salvador, Natal, Recife, Fortaleza, Manaus and Cuiaba often surpass 30 degrees Celsius in June and July.
