Football fans will be allowed to bring sealed disposable water bottles into World Cup stadiums in the US and Canada after criticism over a decision to ban reusable bottles.
Ticket holders had previously been permitted to bring an empty, transparent and reusable bottle up to one litre into grounds.
But then earlier this week, world football’s governing body FIFA outright banned refillable plastic bottles, saying the decision was to “prevent risk and injury to players and attendees”.
The controversial move was criticised by fan groups and scientific experts, who had already expressed concerns about the impact of extreme heat on spectators’ welfare.
A study by US broadcaster National Public Radio this week found that more than a third of matches this tournament are at high risk for dangerously hot, humid conditions.
Temperatures in Miami, Houston, Dallas and Atlanta can average as high as 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Scotland will play Brazil in Miami.
Academics at World Weather Attribution (WWA) expect nine of the tournament’s 104 matches to be played above 26 degrees Wet Bulb Globe Temperature – an index which considers how effectively the body can cool itself.
Source: news.sky.com