Frankfurt stadium roof to be shut despite heat warning (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-06-13 11:26
South Korea and Togo will play under a closed roof at Frankfurt's Commerzbank
Arena on Tuesday, despite temperatures forecast to be well over 30 Celsius.
FIFA have decided to close the roof to eradicate distracting shadows from the
structure over the pitch, which are spoiling television images.
Director of communications Markus Siegler added: "Experts suggest it will be
cooler if we provide shade."
But a leading German forecaster said: "It would be a massive greenhouse."
Siegler added that Argentina's game against Serbia and Montenegro on Friday
could be played under a closed roof, saying: "We are considering the situation
at Gelsenkirchen."
But Joerg Kachelmann, the chief meteorologist for Germany's leading ARD
television station, said: "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."
Fans will not be allowed to take plastic bottles containing drinks into the
stadiums for security reasons, while FIFA will not sanction water breaks or
stoppages during games.
"FIFA is actively encouraging players to drink water, provided by FIFA and
handed to the players. But it is not allowed for water bottles to be thrown on
the pitch," said Siegler.
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