FIFA hit back at critics over 2014 World Cup

FIFA have denied accusations that matches in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil were schedule to benefit television schedules rather than players.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke spoke of the criticisms at a press conference:

"I don't even imagine why and how you could think we are making decisions thinking about television and not about the health of the players.

The first thing we need is a good World Cup and to have a good World Cup we must make sure we have the best of football.

To have the best of football, we need the best teams and the best game. Every decision we make takes into consideration the health of the players."

This latest response comes after criticism of kickoff times which were revealed to be taking place in the afternoon, as early as 1pm local time in order to allow for earlier television times in Europe.

Temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees on the north-east coast of Brazil and it is thought that this could adversely affect the players.