World Cup Brazil 2014 Update: FIFA Sued by Players' Union Over Concerns With Kickoff Times
The 2014 World Cup will be played in the most historically successful soccer nation in the world, Brazil.
The World Cup is set to begin in June and will be played in 12 different locations throughout Brazil. Unfortunately, FIFA and its president, Joseph Sepp Blatter, are being sued by the players' union because of possible extreme hot and humid conditions for players. This comes as a bit of a surprise because of the timing. The FIFA World Cup is the largest global sporting event and is only held once every four years, so it's shocking that the times of the game would come into scrutiny at this point in time.
FIFPro (the worldwide soccer player's union) requested the study conducted by Brazilian doctor Turbio Leite. Upon the study, the players union filed a lawsuit against the FIFA organization asking to change the kickoff times of 24 matches and has asked that no matches take place start before 4:00 p.m. local time. Of course, player safety is important, but this may be easier said than done. There are many matches to be played and it will be tough to schedule all games after 4:00.
Ironically, it will be winter during the World Cup in Brazil. But despite the upcoming winter season, it is still expected to be hot, humid, and dry during the daytime for fans, coaches, and players.
FIFA has responded to the charges, first reported by USA Today.
The governing body of FIFA has said:
"FIFA's medical team is always monitoring carefully all venues during any FIFA competition to protect the players' health," soccer's governing body said in a statement. "Cooling breaks will be considered on a match-by-match basis for the 64 matches. Official and mandatory cooling breaks will not be pre-established. Rather, climate conditions will be evaluated prior to each match by the FIFA venue medical officer."
The board also mentioned that they carefully spent the last two years planning this out with conjunction to players' health. FIFA has no plans at this time to add cooling breaks or change the scheduled kickoff times. FIFPro did look into this possible issue last year, however they did not pursue it for reasons unknown. Rumors have circulated that FIFA would not even talk to the players union, so this was the only option left.
It appears as if neither side is willing to budge. The FIFA organization doesn't want to change its schedule and the players union wants big changes, now. It may be up to the players to determine the outcome of this stalemate.
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