By Andrew Warshaw
March 4 – One of Russia’s leading football officials has admitted the country must eliminate the “virus” of racism before the 2018 World Cup. With so much focus on Qatar 2022, Russian organisers have managed to escape the same level of scrutiny but comments by FIFA president Sepp Blatter have forced them to concede that considerable effort needs to be made to tackle discrimination.
March 3 – Russia’s moves to reduce construction costs as they prepare for the 2018 World Cup in the face of a collapse of the ruble against the dollar, have resulted in more proposals for stadium cost-cutting and a reduction in the number of training sites for teams that qualify.
By Andrew Warshaw in Belfast
February 27 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been quick to clear up arguably the main sticking point regarding the 2022 winter World Cup by promising it will not stretch as far as two days before Christmas.
By David Owen
February 26 – Phil Neville, the former Manchester United, Everton and England footballer turned BBC pundit, swam against the tide this week. While many in the country that invented football were bemoaning the FIFA task force recommendation to stage the 2022 World Cup in November and December, Neville said it might be “the best thing that’s ever happened” to England.
February 25 – The firm recommendation to stage the 2022 World Cup in winter has prompted intense reaction from among supporters and critics alike. Below is a summary of the reaction from the key stakeholders.
February 25 – Organisers of the 2022 Qatar World Cup today outlined their vision of what they have promised will be an “outstanding” tournament regardless of the controversy over switching it to winter.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – Twenty-four hours after the announcement of the first ever winter World Cup in 2022, FIFA embarked on a fresh collision course with Europe’s major leagues and clubs by ruling out paying any enhanced compensation for the amount of time players will be away on international duty and the disruption it will cause to the regular calendar.
February 24 – Russian stadium and infrastructure build for the 2018 World Cup reported good news with information that the preparation work required for the Yekaterinburg stadium was proceeding ahead of schedule.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – The first ever winter World Cup became a virtual certainty today with a recommendation to stage the 2022 Qatar tournament in November and December, ending decades of tradition.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 23 – Twenty-four hours before what is likely to be a formal recommendation to play the 2022 Qatar World Cup in November-December, representatives of Europe’s major leagues have urged supporters of the first ever winter tournament to think again.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – Next week’s pivotal meeting over when to stage the 2022 World Cup has been put back 24 hours – but the outcome looks set to be the same. FIFA have confirmed that its 2022 multi-stakeholder Task Force will now convene on Tuesday instead of Monday – in the Qatari capital of Doha – to recommend precise dates.
February 13 – Russia’ First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, in response to the falling value of the ruble and the increased cost on imported materials, has ordered a review of the supply chain for the infrastructure construction for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
February 12 – Paris St Germain and Sao Paulo will head into the Al Kass International Cup semi-finals to face Arsenal and AC Milan this Friday. Real Madrid crashed out losing by a goal to the Brazilians while the stylish defending champions Aspire International from Qatar were knocked out in a return to form by the French.
By Paul Nicholson
February 12 – Ray Whelan, the British director accused of selling VIP World Cup tickets at inflated prices in Brazil, has had all charges against him dropped by the Brazilian justice authorities. While the prosecutor has 15 days to appeal against the decision, it is not expected that there will be a challenge.
February 11 – Arsenal and AC Milan qualified for the semi-finals of the Al Kass International Cup in Doha, Qatar. Arsenal, who survived everything their Argentine opponents could throw at them – including punches and kicks at the final whistle – will meet either Paris St Germain or holders Aspire International in the next round on Friday. AC Milan will meet either Real Madrid or Sao Paulo.