Croatian probe into black market World Cup final tickets
September 24 – An investigation has been opened by Croatian authorities into the alleged sale of black market tickets for the World Cup final.
World Cup
FAI joins British FAs for feasibility study into joint 2030 World Cup bid
September 20 – The Republic of Ireland is joining forces with the four ‘home’ British nations to consider making a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup.
Poisoned pitch invader in intensive care in Germany
September 19 – German doctors treating Pyotr Verzilov, a member of Russian protest group Pussy Riot and one of those who staged a pitch invasion during the World Cup final, say it is “highly plausible” he was poisoned.
Bid talk: British FA’s commit to feasibility study on joint World Cup 2030 bid
By Andrew Warshaw
August 31 – The Scottish and Welsh FAs have confirmed that exploratory talks are under way for a UK bid for the 2030 World Cup – even though South America would probably be regarded as favourites.
Power of Russia’s new football love fails as Samara Arena goes dark over unpaid bills
August 29 – Within six weeks of the World Cup finishing, one of the stadiums used at the tournament is already in trouble despite Russian authorities promising that all venues would leave a positive legacy.
Interpol swoops on $1.6bn of illegal bets in 14,900 raids in Asia during World Cup
August 21 – An Interpol-led operation during the World Cup led to thousands of raids against illegal gambling conducted throughout Asia and a string of arrests, according to the organisation.
€136bn bet on Russia 2018, and no fixed matches to be found
August 8 – The 2018 World Cup qualifications were riddled with accusations of match-fixing in Africa in particular – including FIFA for the first time ordering one game to be replayed – but the finals tournament itself was clean.
Qatar 2022: EFL considers winter break for Championship
August 6 – The English Championship may decide to take a break during the 2022-23 season to accommodate the World Cup in Qatar being staged in November and December – right in the middle of domestic seasons.
World Cup wrap up: Now even Pussy Riot can go home
August 2 – Four members of Russia’s anti-Kremlin ‘Pussy Riot’ protest group, who staged a pitch invasion during the World Cup final, have been released from police custody after being detained for 16 days, their lawyer says.
Qatar denies sabotage accusations as focus again switched back to 2010 bidding
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid team have categorically denied new revelations claiming they ran a covert campaign designed to sabotage rival bidders, specifically the United States and Australia.
Fans spend €1.3bn in Russia during World Cup 2018
By Paul Nicholson
July 20 – Overseas fans in Russia for the World Cup spent about €1.3 billion between June 14 and July 16, according to a report by Russia’s Sberbank.
Russia 2018 scored A+ for medical provision – FIFA
By David Owen
July 20 – The chairman of FIFA’s medical committee has described medical provision during Russia 2018 as the best he has experienced in 10 World Cups.
Croatia’s Lovren bemoans loss and questions if anyone really knows the VAR rules
July 17 – Croatia’s Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has poured out his heart over their World Cup final defeat saying his side “played much better football” than France.
Pussy Riot pitch invaders jailed for 15 days for human rights protest
July 17 – Four members of the Russian punk activist group Pussy Riot have been jailed for 15 days for disrupting the World Cup final by running on to the pitch.
Qatar takes learnings from Russia 2018 and is ‘open’ to 48-team discussion
By Samindra Kunti in Moscow
July 16 – Qatar’s Deputy Secretary-General for Tournament Affairs Nasser Al Khater has repeated FIFA stance’s that the 2022 World Cup hosts will have the final decision-making power over the number of participants in four years time.