Prologue: This FIFA decision from last Friday applies to both MEN
and WOMEN in all FIFA-sanctioned matches, including the 2003 & 2006
World Cups. This article is from TODAY, day of first notification in
writing from FIFA to all member orgs (such as US Soccer, CONCACAF).
It is still not clear what nations and regional groups will do, as
many do not agree with the demand...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2003_FIFA_World_Cup
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2006_FIFA_World_Cup

BY CLARE NULLIS /
Associated Press /
Wednesday 02 JULY 2003
GENEVA, Switzerland—

In a move that may disappoint those thirsting for the sight of tanned
torsos and bulging biceps, FIFA has ordered soccer players to keep
their shirts on during matches and banned all celebratory post-goal
stripteases.
FIFA boss Sepp Blatter said in an interview Wednesday that the
decision taken by FIFA's executive committee last weekend in Paris
was designed to restore "order and discipline" to the game, saying
that simply too much flesh had been on display at the recent
Confederations Cup.

"There were several awkward situations at the Confederations Cup,"'
he told the Swiss newspaper Blick. "One player needed five minutes to
put his jersey back on because his vest was sewn into it."

Players who ignore the new regulation risk the yellow card for baring
their chest - or bra, as in the case of Brandi Chastain who pulled
off her shirt after scoring the winning goal for the U.S. team in the
Women's World Cup final against China four years ago.

Blatter denied that FIFA was being a killjoy.

"The show and the emotions associated with soccer don't depend on a
player stripping off his shirt, but far more on the quality of the
game," he told the paper.

FIFA first introduced the striptease ban in 1996, but then relaxed
it. Last year, it banned players from displaying slogans or personal
messages on their undergarments, saying this breached its rules.
Details of the new regulation will be distributed shortly to national
soccer associations ahead of the forthcoming season.

Blick launched a campaign against the proposed ban.

"What a shame," Miss Switzerland, Nadine Vinzens told the
paper. "There's nothing wrong with players showing their joy by
ripping off their shirt."

Christian Gimenez, one of the heartthrobs and star scorers of Swiss
Premier League team FC Basel, was unequivocal.

"The goal celebrations are really special for a forward, an
expression of joy and emotion. I'll just have to pull down my shorts
in future."

Blatter also told Blick that FIFA was considering a heat limit on
matches following the death of Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe, who
collapsed and died during the semifinals of the Confederation Cup.
Lyon, the venue of the match, was in the midst of a heat wave, with
temperatures touching 37 C (95 F).

The cause of the player's death has not been determined.

Blatter will attend Foe's funeral tomorrow in St. Jean Cathedral in
Lyon and his memorial service on July 12 in Cameroon's capital,
Yaounde.

"Blatter expressed the wish to attend the services personally as a
demonstration of his deepest sympathy toward the family and friends
of Foe, toward the entire Cameroon football family, and especially to
the Cameroon national team that has stayed on in Lyon," FIFA said in
a statement.