FIFPro: the international union concerned about the heat during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

"It astonishes me that the media is obsessed with Qatar in nine years' time (2022) and does not seem very bothered about the World Cup in 2014" said the secretary general of FIFPro (International Federation of Professional Footballers), Theo van Seggelen on the 24/09/2013.

Travelling and heat are the two biggest concerns of the international union regarding the 2014 World Cup. Some matches are being scheduled to kick off at 1:00 pm local time in tropical venues" said Theo van Seggelen.

FIFPro bases its judgement on the experience of the Confederations Cup (from the 15/06 to the 30/06/2013), especially the semi-final between Spain and Italy (0-0, 7-6 on penalties) played at Fortaleza, northern Brazil, on the 27/06/2013, with the kickoff at 4:00 pm: "The players said it was impossible to play extra time in that heat," said the Dutch leader of FIFPro.

On the 29/06/2014, a round of 16 match is programmed in the same city of Fortaleza (1^st of Group B against the second of group A) with kick-off at 1:00 pm.

• "We have to realise that it's not just the quality of the game that is affected…