FIFA may change rule to help Japan

TOKYO: Fifa is considering bending the rules to help Japan take part in the Copa America after a quake-tsunami disaster forced them to withdraw from the event.

The March 11 catastrophe has thrown Japan’s J-League into disarray and five rounds of matches, which were suspended are now due to be played around the same time as the Copa America, which starts in July.

Under the current rules, clubs are not obligated to free up Japanese players for the championship because Japan have been invited only as guests.

But Fifa President Sepp Blatter is considering a one-off exceptional measure asking clubs to free up players.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2011.