SAO PAULO, Brazil -- FIFA said Wednesday it is not considering changing kickoff times or adding mandatory cooling breaks during World Cup matches, despite being sued by Brazils players union because of health concerns. Cheap Raptors Jerseys . FIFA said it spent nearly two years analyzing starting times for the tournament in Brazil and always took into consideration the players health. The players federation filed a lawsuit this week to change kickoff times of the 24 matches scheduled to start at 1 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), saying players would be at risk because of intense heat and humidity in some venues. It said FIFA, at least, must introduce two-minute water breaks in each half during those matches. The players federation is asking for a temporary injunction against FIFA but theres no timetable on a ruling. "FIFAs medical team is always monitoring carefully all venues during any FIFA competition to protect the players health," footballs governing body said in a statement. "Cooling breaks will be considered on a match-by-match basis for the 64 matches. Official and mandatory cooling breaks will not be pre-established. Rather, climate conditions will be evaluated prior to each match by the FIFA venue medical officer." There were similar health concerns during the 1994 World Cup in the United states, when temperatures reached the mid-30s (Celsius) in some of the games. Extreme heat is also a problem for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with FIFA considering moving the tournament to winter to avoid the hot weather in the Gulf nation. FIFA said it already made the schedule changes it felt were needed in the Brazilian cities with the highest temperatures. It will be winter in Brazil during the World Cup, but it may be hot and humid in many of the 12 host cities, especially in the northeastern and northern regions. "One core aspect in defining the kickoff times was the very thorough analysis of the historical climate data in all venues," FIFA said. "Therefore, the venues with the highest average temperatures such as Manaus, Cuiaba and Fortaleza do not have any matches with 1 p.m. kickoff times during group stage." Seven matches had their kickoff times altered by FIFA last year. The players federation, known as Fenapaf, wants the changes based on local labour regulations and a study conducted by renowned Brazilian sports doctor Turibio Leite. The study was requested by Fenapaf and FIFPro, the international players union. "We have been trying to discuss this with FIFA for nearly two years and they wont even sit down to talk to us," federation president Rinaldo Martorelli told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "The only alternative was to seek legal action. We really hope that they make the changes in kickoff times, but if that doesnt happen, they need to at least make the cooling breaks mandatory." FIFPro did meet with FIFA last year to discuss the issue, although no direct action was taken at the time. FIFA said that defining the World Cup match schedule is a "complex process" that involves "detailed assessments" from experts in several areas, with players health the "highest priority." It said other considerations include travel logistics and the global television market. FIFPro last year accused FIFA of considering "the demands of TV companies of greater importance than the health and safety of the players." FIFA officially approved referees to implement cooling breaks in 2013, though water breaks were made during the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when Argentina beat Nigeria in grueling conditions at the Birds Nest. Custom Toronto Raptors Jerseys . Espanyol midfielder Sanchez intercepted Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizozs clearance and, having spotted a gap, risked using his less-favoured left foot to fire a beautifully precise long-range shot that bounced in from high up the near post in the 24th minute. Raptors Jerseys 2020 . Winnipeg trailed by five points in the final minute when quarterback Drew Willy completed a 13-play, 75-yard drive with Feoli-Gudinos 18-yard touchdown catch on third down to lift the Bombers to a 34-33 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night. https://www.cheapraptors.com/ .C. - Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek says guard Goran Dragic will return to the starting lineup against the Charlotte Hornets after missing the last two games with a strained back.ORLANDO, Fla. - Marlon Byrd moved across Pennsylvania to Philadelphia. Tampa Bay is considering daring moves, and so is Texas. And the New York Yankees, as always, plan to be in the mix for some big-time deals. As the off-season market for trades and free-agent signings gets underway, Major League Baseball is considering some pretty radical changes for the entire sport next season. Expanded instant replay for umpires calls is virtually certain to be in place by opening day, and theres a chance a rule could be adopted to prevent runners from bowling over catchers at the plate. "Theres a pretty good possibility that something eventually will happen," MLB executive vice-president Joe Torre said Tuesday on the second day of the annual general managers meetings. "Whether its going to be soon enough to have it done this coming year, that remains to be seen. But I dont think its impossible." Outside the formal meeting room, Byrd and Philadelphia agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract, a huge step up from the $800,000 the outfielder earned this year from the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates. And catcher Brayan Pena finalized a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds worth $2,275,000. They were the first of the 168 major league free agents to switch teams this off-season. Talk of limiting contact at the plate was the days most interesting development, one that could make Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. Torre said a written proposal will be developed that will be discussed when GMs gather again during the winter meetings, to be held at Lake Buena Vista from Dec. 9-12. "There are college rules where you have to slide. Im not saying thats what youre going to do," Torre said. "The players are bigger, stronger, faster. Its like in other sports. Theyve made adjustments and rules in other sports for that reason, to protect people." Torre said collisions when pitchers cover the plate on wild pitches and passed balls also are an issue. He planned to discuss the matter Wednesday with baseballs rules committee. A change for 2014 would need the approval of the players association. "Suffice it to say, the players have some thoughts of their own regarding home-plate collisions as well as a number of other topics," union deputy executive director Tony Clark, a former All-Star himself, said in an email to The Associated Press. "Well be addressing them all when we meet next month." Torre said agreements with players and umpires on expanded video review should be in place by January. "We expect to be all on the same page by the time we need to have it," he said. Virtually all umpires calls other than balls and strikes, checked swings and some foul tips will be reviewable. The system was tested last week during Arizona Fall League games, with two major league umpires reviewing video and making the final call. Baseball started using video review in 2008 but limited it to home run calls. Owners likely will give their go-ahead Thursday for funding and then approve the rules when they meet in January. "Im sure theyll do as much testing as they think is feasible, but ultimately theyll probably go with what they have," New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. Toronto Raptors Shirts. "There probably will be bugs. ... It might be a little rough at the beginning, but I think that things will work out thereafter." GMs are spending much of this week in meetings, finding out which players might be available in trades and what prices agents are seeking for their clients. "Its not the most conducive time to be doing anything," Oakland GM Billy Beane said. With MLB receiving a large increase next year in revenue from national broadcasting contracts, agents are asking for more at this early point in the off-season. "I think its the agents job always to try to get as much as they can get, since theyve been part of the MLB landscape," Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said. "I dont think its ever changed." With 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner David Price two years from free agency, low-payroll Tampa Bay is exploring trades. The Rays $65 million payroll at the end of the season was 28th among the 30 clubs. "We just cant be afraid to make bold moves," executive vice-president Andrew Friedman said. "Its almost become a cliche of one eye on the present, one eye on the future. Its absolutely our operating philosophy. Its something that we have to do." Texas also could make a big trade splash. Rangers GM Jon Daniels will consider offers for middle infielders Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus to clear a starting spot for 20-year-old Jurickson Profar. "I dont think at this point were going to go down the same path we did last year where Jurickson broke in as a utility player," Daniels said. "Weve got three guys at the big league level. Weve got another two guys at Double-A in Luis Sardinas and Rougned Odor that we view as potentially impact big league guys, and I think the industry does, so were not doing our jobs if we dont at least explore it." While the Rangers are interested in re-signing Nelson Cruz, closer Joe Nathan could be headed elsewhere, perhaps Detroit. Byrd already knows his destination. The 36-year-old outfielder hit a career-high 24 homers last season for the New York Mets and Pittsburgh, which acquired him on Aug. 27. He batted .364 with one homer and five RBIs in six playoff games after hitting .291 during the season with 88 RBIs, one short of his career best. "Marlon adds a significant upgrade both offensively and defensively to our outfield," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "He has been particularly productive against left-handed pitching, which was a serious challenge for us this past season." Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said a determination of Alex Rodriguezs grievance to overturn a 211-game suspension wont deter the team from filling its holes. Rodriguez has a $25 million salary next year and could earn an additional $6 million payment if he hits six home runs and ties Willie Mays at 660. Re-signing second baseman Robinson Cano is a top priority. "Even with Alex as our third baseman, weve got a fair amount of money to start spending to try to fill the holes," Steinbrenner said, "and thats what were going to do." ' ' '