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Brazil's Serie A to test 11am kickoffs

Xinhua, May 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Brazil's top domestic league will this year feature morning kickoff times for the first time, the country's football federation (CBF) said on Friday.

The first match in the 11am time slot will be between Gremio and Ponte Preta in Porto Alegre on May 10 - the opening weekend of Brazil's Serie A season.

"The idea is to play at least one match every Sunday at 11am," the CBF said in a statement on its website.

Gremio president Romildo Bolzan said the initiative had the backing of the club and its fans.

"It's better for us for one simple reason. Many fans come from rural areas to watch matches. And matches that start at 6:30pm make it difficult fo those people to return," Bolzan told Fox Sports.

"We are going to test it. Fans can have lunch on the road or in Porto Alegre and later they'll have the whole day to do other things."

The move comes as the CBF attempts to reverse years of falling attendances in Brazil's domestic football competitions. Endi