FIFA Archives - Page 110 of 210 - Inside World Football

Garcia report unmasks a seedy culture open to ‘abuse’, but no smoking gun

By Paul Nicholson and Samindra Kunti

June 28 – The Garcia report into the 2018/2022 World Cup bidding procedures is both as revealing as it is, for the most part, old news. It shows the political depths that the individuals on FIFA’s executive committee would go to solicit favours from bidders; it also shows how far bids will push their people and the rules to win. What it doesn’t do is find the smoking gun that would derail Russia or Qatar hosting 2018 or 2022.

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Leak turns into flood: FIFA publish Garcia’s World Cup bidding report in full

By Paul Nicholson

June 28 – FIFA reacted swiftly to the leak to German media of the Garcia Report into the 2018/ 2022 World Cup bidding process by posting the full report online. It was a smart move by FIFA that immediately took the focus of the media reports away from Qatar – who had been lined-up for a series articles from the report – and brought balance to the wider issues of the bidding process and activity of all the bidding nations.

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Political football: Leaked Garcia report heaps more political pressure on Qatar

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By Paul Nicholson

June 27 – The Garcia report into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding, has been leaked to a German newspaper. Until now the report, named after FIFA’s former Ethics chief investigator Michael Garcia, has only been released in summary. A summary that was hotly contested by Garcia.

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Confed Cup ‘half time’ report: VARs must speed up; Fans are warming up; What doping?

By Samindra Kunti in St Petersburg

June 27 – Confederations Cup organisers say they are satisfied with the way the group stages have gone, but acknowledge that the video assistant referees need time to fine-tune their decision-making. Dubbed as the ‘half time’ press conference, FIFA and its Russian organisers gave their view on the tournament so far and the issues arising.

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Cameroonian clubs reported Infantino and Samoura to FIFA Ethics committee in May

By Paul Nicholson

June 26 – The dispute over the running of football in Cameroon that has seen FIFA’s unequivocal support of Tombi A Roko Sidiki as Cameroon FA (Fecafoot) president has entered a new phase. News is emerging of a complaint filed to FIFA’s ethics body against president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura.

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Russia crash out as Mexico, Portugal, Germany and Chile head for Confed Cup semis

By Samindra Kunti in St Petersburg

June 26 – Russia’s bid for home Confederations Cup glory crumbled with defeat against Mexico 2-1. The Mexicans now progress to the semi-finals with tournament favourites Portugal, Chile and Germany.

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Russia backs VAR asking for FIFA to leave the system when they go

June 26 – Whilst the system of video assistant referees being used at the FIFA Confederations Cup has generated controversy, it seems to be a hit with Russian authorities who are in discussions with FIFA about keeping the system in place for domestic games.

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High flying Chile set sights on 2026 World Cup hosting

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By Samindra Kunti in St Petersburg, Russia

June 23 – Chile held world champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in group B at the FIFA Confederations, with the president of Chile’s FA announcing that the country is considering a bid for the 2026 World Cup.

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Ronaldo spoils Russia’s party planning. Mexicans and Kiwis overheat in Sochi

By Samindra Kunti in Moscow

June 22 – The Confederations Cup heated up last night as tensions flared in Sochi as Mexico edged New Zealand 2-1. Meanwhile in Moscow, hosts Russia face a first-round exit after Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal for Portugal leaves the hosts needing a win against the fiery Mexicans to make it into the next round.

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Broos and Cameroon get jammed up over travel trauma in Moscow and St Petersburg

June 22 – Cameroon coach Hugo Broos (pictured) has lamented the travel arrangements at the Confederations Cup as the Indomitable Lions got stuck in traffic on the way to practice and media duties in Saint Petersburg. The incident will put organisers on red alert for next year’s World Cup finals.

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Rojas says there is no investigation into Infantino but African questions still linger

By Paul Nicholson

June 21 – FIFA has issued a statement denying that its ethics committee has any investigation proceedings opened against its president Gianni Infantino, though the statement does not mention whether general secretary Fatma Samoura is under investigation.

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Despite its failures, Infantino defends VAR saying it is ‘the future of modern football’

By Samindra Kunti, Moscow

June 20 – FIFA has defended the use of video assistant referees (VARs) in the Confederations Cup in Russia, with president Gianni Infantino satisfied with the system’s progress.

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Russia and Chile win, Mexico and Portugal draw, video ref is the biggest loser so far

By Samindra Kunti in Moscow

June 18- Under the watchful eye of president Vladimir Putin, Russia kicked off the Confederations Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win against New Zealand, but the tournament’s opening weekend was dominated by controversy over VAR.

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FIFA emphasises eliminating the negative in its game-changing play fair! initiative

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By Mark Baber

June 19 – The International Football Association Board (IFAB) and FIFA have formally launched the new play fair! Initiative as part of “a strategy focussing on improving fairness and the image of the game.”

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Infantino dismisses talk on future of Confederations Cup for later date

By Paul Nicholson

June 18 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has dismissed talk of 2017 being the last staging of the Confederations Cup, saying that the time now is to focus on the game.