Football Notes: World Cup Kickoff Times Could Subject Players To 'Searing Heat'

Some Brazil 2014 World Cup teams "will have to play afternoon matches at tropical venues" after organizers announced kickoff times on Thursday. Most of the 64 games will take place in the afternoon, which is unlikely to be a problem in the cooler south but could subject players to "searing heat in the tropical north and northeast." The times are favorable for European TV viewers (REUTERS, 9/28). ... FIFA President Sepp Blatter revealed that extra linesmen behind the goals are unlikely to be used at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil despite the "system's apparent success" at Euro 2012. Blatter added that the system, with one additional linesman behind each goal, had not featured in the World Cup qualifiers, and "it would be inconsistent to employ it at the finals" (REUTERS, 9/28).