FIFA has "blocked rock concerts from being staged in World Cup stadiums" in the weeks before the '18 tournament kicks off in Russia, according to Graham Dunbar of the AP. FIFA passed a rule "to ensure that the field of play is of the highest quality, it shall not be used for a non-football event" for two months before a stadium's first match. In updated 2018 World Cup regulations published Monday, FIFA requires "explicit prior approval" for exemptions. FIFA has also introduced disciplinary records -- a points system adding up red and yellow cards -- "as a potential tiebreaker in the group stage when teams have the same amount of points." FIFA said on Monday that the "stricter turf rule was because of overuse of stadiums and training sites in Brazil ahead of the 2014 World Cup." But it "also follows issues at the European Championship in France in June." FIFA can also veto matches in the 12 Russian stadiums, plus training camp and pre-match practice field sites, "for one month before they are needed during the tournament" (AP, 10/17).
WEST BANK CLUBS: In Jerusalem, Adam Rasgon reported FIFA "did not make a decision regarding the fate" of six football clubs based in West Bank settlements during the meetings of the FIFA Council. FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine Chair Tokyo Sexwale reported on the results of the meetings in a brief statement, "making no explicit mention of the clubs." Sexwale said, "We are dealing with a highly sensitive situation in that part of the world, yet at the same time, what is of utmost importance is to ensure the game of football is not entwined in political conflict. At the end [of the day], we want to ensure that both Israelis and Palestinians can enjoy the game in accordance with the FIFA Statutes" (JERUSALEM POST, 10/15).
TAKING CONTROL: The AFP reported FIFA said that it was "appointing a normalization committee to run the daily affairs of the crisis-hit" Greek Football Federation (EPO). The move "follows months of bickering between the federation and the Greek government over discrepancies between national laws and the independence of the federation" (AFP, 10/15).
