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Treat for the Dutch
FIFA bends rules to let Dutch train in Marseille
Posted: Thursday July 02, 1998 03:23 PM
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After receiving a "strange letter" Dutch coach Guus Hiddink complained to FIFA (AP) |
MONTE CARLO, Monaco (AP) -- FIFA bent its rules a little Thursday
to allow the Dutch World Cup squad to train in Marseille's Stade Velodrome
ahead of Saturday's quarterfinal confrontation with Argentina.
Dutch coach Guus Hiddink told reporters early Thursday that he
had received "a strange letter from FIFA" saying that his team could not
train at the ground on Friday. Hiddink pointed out that the Argentines had
been given permission to use the pitch. "We suddenly get a
letter saying we are not welcome in the stadium, which I find very
strange," Hiddink said. But FIFA officials cleared up the
mystery by explaining that teams are entitled to train in a match stadium
just once -- the Netherlands
practiced at the Stade Velodrome before its June 20 first round match
against South
Korea. After Hiddink complained, soccer's governing body
gave way and said it would allow the Dutch to train in Marseille after all.
Upon hearing the news, a team spokesman said the Dutch might
not show up for the practice session anyway. He said Hiddink might instead
hold the workout at a field closer to the team hotel.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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