Rio de Janeiro, Nov 26

Football's international players' union FIFPro has backed a decision by governing body FIFA to reconsider early kickoffs during next year's World Cup, reported Xinhua.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter last week said weather concerns had prompted FIFA to consider delaying the start of some matches.

"The world footballers' association appreciates that the FIFA executive committee is to reopen this discussion, and that president Blatter and FIFA have realized that the health and safety of the players cannot be subjected to any unreasonable risk," FIFPro said in a statement Monday.

More than a third of the World Cup's 64 matches are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Two fixtures are programmed at 3 p.m. and 11 at 4 p.m.

While the tournament will be held during Brazil's winter months, temperatures in the cities of Salvador, Natal, Recife, Fortaleza, Manaus and Cuiaba often surpass 30 degrees Celsius in June and July.

By:IANS