FIFA blocks stadium rock concerts ahead of 2018 World Cup
ZURICH (AP) FIFA has blocked rock concerts from being staged in World Cup stadiums ahead of the 2018 tournament in Russia.
FIFA passed a rule ''to ensure that the field of play is of the highest quality, it shall not be used for a non-football event'' for two months before a stadium's first match.
FIFA's updated World Cup regulations require ''explicit prior approval'' for exemptions.
Rock band AC/DC played in Marseille weeks before a European Championship match in June. France coach Didier Deschamps called the Stade Velodrome turf a ''disaster'' after beating Albania 2-0, blaming the concert. The turf was then re-laid and struggled to take root in heavy rain.
FIFA will also limit matches in the 12 Russian stadiums for one month prior to the tournament.