Fifa unhappy about shadows
(news24.com)
Updated: 2006-06-12 16:54

Despite soaring temperatures across Germany, the roofs of some World Cup stadiums could be closed to help eradicate distracting shadows being cast on the pitch.

Fifa's director of communications, Markus Siegler, said television images were being spoilt by the distinctive shadows caused by stadium design, roof girders or other structures.

However, Germany's leading weather forecaster, Joerg Kachelmann, warned against making such a move with the weather being so hot.

Kachelman said: "It would be a massive greenhouse inside if they close the roofs on days like those coming up with temperatures rising well above 30 degrees.

"It would be a killer having the roof closed above, with the massive crowds inside. If they had air conditioning it would be a good idea. But without air conditioning, it would become very hot inside those stadiums."

Earlier Siegler confirmed Fifa's priority would be the players' health and their well-being.

"At the same time we have a responsibility to the billions of fans around the world watching on television and they are not seeing good pictures with the shadow markings on the pitch.

"Two of the 12 stadiums have roofs - Frankfurt and Gelsenkirchen - and those roofs might be closed to improve the TV pictures."
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