JOHANNESBURG (AP) — FIFA is not allowing Brazil and Ivory Coast to practice at Soccer City to preserve the pitch for their Group G match on Sunday.
The Brazilian federation says Saturday the teams will not train at the stadium to avoid damaging the field.
Brazil on Friday had to switch practice facilities because of the pitch conditions at its training camp in Johannesburg. The five-time champions moved their Saturday practice to a school in Johannesburg.
Germany and Serbia also could not practice at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ahead of the teams’ match in Port Elizabeth on Friday, also to preserve the pitch. Serbia won that game 1-0.
