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.