Qatar to build first World Cup stadium within four years
By David Gold
June 8 – Qatar’s first stadium for the 2022 World Cup will be completed by 2015, according to their World Cup Committee secretary general Hassan Al Thawadi.
World Cup
Edusport Travel appointed as exclusive South African hospitality agent for Brazil 2014
By David Gold
June 7 – Edusport Travel has been appointed as the exclusive South African agent of MATCH hospitality, the rights holder of the FIFA hospitality programme, to sell the packages for the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup, taking place in Brazil.
We want Russia 2018 stadia to capture feel of the country, says Populous principal
By David Gold
June 5 – Tom Jones, the Associate Principal of Populous, the global design specialists whose Senior Principal John Barrow will be speaking at the Inside World Football Moscow Forum in June, says that Russia should think about the wider infrastructure required for the 2018 World Cup, and learn some lessons from the experience of South Africa in preparing to host a successful World Cup.
Arab countries fail to relax nationality rules
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
June 1 – An attempt by Arab nations to relax the rules on players switching nationality was thrown out by FIFA today, a blow to countries like 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar to buy up and develop young talent ahead of the next World Cup in Brazil.
Fresh FIFA concern over Brazil’s World Cup infrastructure
By David Gold
June 1 – FIFA has expressed fresh concerns over Brazil’s progress in developing its infrastructure sufficiently in time for the 2014 World Cup.
Germany want investigation into Qatar 2022 bid campaign
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
June 1 – Germany has called for the circumstances that led to Qatar being awarded the 2022 World Cup to be investigated as the controversy surrounding the decision to award the tournament to the tiny Gulf state refuses to subside.
“Did I say Qatar 2022 bribed people to get World Cup”? – I didn’t mean it, says Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke insisted today that he had never accused Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam of buying the 2022 World Cup and categorically stood his ground after becoming embroiled in the ongoing bribery scandal.
FIFA general secretary under threat after explosive Qatar 2022 bribe allegations
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke’s position was unexpectedly plunged into severe danger·today·when he admitted that a damaging email he sent suggesting the 2022 World Cup was bought was genuine.
Triesman England 2018 allegations unproven concludes FA report
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – The four Executive Committee members, including Trinidad’s Jack Warner, accused by the former chairman of England’s 2018 World Cup bid chairman David Triesman of seeking sweeteners have been cleared by an independent report commissioned by the Football Association, FIFA disclosed today.
Vero Communications opens Rio office
By Tom Degun
May 25 – London-based international sport business consultancy Vero Communications, founded by Mike Lee (pictured), has announced the launch of their first overseas office in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, which formally opens today under the company name MLA True Communications.
FIFA legal delegation impressed on first official trip to Russia
By David Gold
May 23 – FIFA’s legal delegation has concluded its first official visit to Russia ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
Qatar 2022 hit back at Sunday Times claim they bribed FIFA Executive Committee members
By Andrew Warshaw
May 23 – Qatar’s football authorities today hit back with a vengeance at what they termed “a series of serious, unsubstantiated and false allegations” that bribes were paid to two senior FIFA officials to support the Gulf state’s 2022 World Cup bid.
Blatter blames rival for bringing in man alleged to have delivered Qatar bribes
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – With 10 days to go until the FIFA Presidential election, Sepp Blatter took another opportunity today to address African football leaders before moving on to Japan for the final leg of his lobbying campaign.
Chairman not guilty of conflict of interest say Premier League
By Andrew Warshaw
May 20 – The Football Assoiciation and Premier League have given written submissions that there was no conflict of interest over the award of merchandise contracts to a company part-owned by the son of Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards.
Qatar whistleblower invited to FIFA to show them the evidence
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 19 – The whistleblower at the centre of corruption claims over Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid has been asked by FIFA to provide evidence against two voting members alleged to have each been paid $1.5 million (£917,000) to back the Gulf state.