FIFA 'flexible' over schedule

FIFA is likely to be more “flexible” over kick-off times for next summer's World Cup because of the impact of extreme heat on the ongoing Club World Cup, the general secretary of the world players’ union FIFPRO has said.

- By JAMIE GARDNER

The searing summer temperatures in the United States for FIFA’s inaugural 32-team Club World Cup have been one of the tournament's major talking points.

Chelsea struggled to train at times during high temperatures in Philadelphia, while Bayern Munich and Benfica played a group match in Charlotte in 36 degrees Celsius.

FIFPRO general secretary Alex Phillips said his organisation had made recommendations around kick-off times prior to the Club World Cup which were not heeded by FIFA.

The union will make a similar plea to avoid afternoon kick-off times in the hottest locations like Miami and Dallas at next summer's World Cup, and hopes the experience of this summer may make that conversation more straightforward.