Marta (L) of Brazil scores a goal past Mexico's goalkeeper Shopia Perez during their Sao Paulo international women's soccer tournament final at Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo December 20, 2009. (REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker)

RIO DE JANEIRO – The intense heat in southern Brazil this month has led a judge in the state of Rio Grande do Sul to issuing a ban on football matches when the temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius (95F).

Judge Rafael da Silva Marques ruled on Tuesday that matches scheduled to kick off between 1800 and 1930 (2000-2130 GMT) could only go ahead after the referee had checked the temperature on the pitch.

Marques had already banned kickoffs between 1000 and 1800 last week after several players felt ill during a match in the state’s Gaucho championship that kicked off at 1700 in 40-degree heat (104F).

“The referee must measure the temperature before the game. If it’s less than 35 degrees the match can start. If it’s 35, 36 or more, the referee should wait until the temperature goes down,” Marques was quoted as saying on the website of the Rio Grande do Sul labor court. (www.trt4.gov.br).

“After 1930, as the sun is no longer so strong, play can go ahead. I think it’s a measure for workers’ health and we must think about that,” he added of his decision that followed a request for action from the state’s players’ union.

The heat has been such in Rio Grande do Sul and other Brazilian states that TV commentator and former Brazil midfielder Batista passed out before a match broadcast last week.