Spain and Portugal promised positive report by FIFA inspectors

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

September 2 – Spain and Portugal’s joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup received the expected high marks from the FIFA inspection team, led by Harold Mayne-Nicholls, as they wrapped up their evaluation of the European candidates today.

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Banner was not racist, claims Russia 2018 bid leader

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

September 2 – Racism is not endemic in Russian football and should not stop the country being awarded the 2018 World Cup, the bid’s chief executive Alexei Sorokin claimed today – but was contradicted by Peter Odemwingie, the Nigerian player whose treatment has sparked the latest controversy.

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FIFA inspectors travel to Portugal to continue tour

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

September 1 – FIFA’s inspectors, led by Chilean Football Federation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls (pictured), have begun looking at the proposed facilities to be used if Portugal’s joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup is successful.

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