Brazil 2014 refs told to get tough on rough play
April 3 – Referees at this summer’s World Cup look like getting tough on dangerous tackles more than other contentious issues like diving.
World Cup
Pitches, TV feeds and telecoms are vital focus of Brazil 2014 final preparations
By Andrew Warshaw
April 3 – After months of trouble-shooting and no end of efforts to stave off negative headlines, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke seems resigned to the fact that Brazil will not be completely ready to host the World Cup despite having had seven years to prepare.
Sao Paulo stadium death casts dark shadow over 2014 rush for readiness
April 1 – Brazil’s World Cup preparations have suffered yet another setback with the death of a third worker at the Sao Paulo stadium that is being rushed to readiness to host the opening match on June 12.
Brazil’s rush to readiness comes with risks, says Valcke
March 28 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke admits “time is flying” towards completing the final three stadiums for the World Cup and that the delays faced by Brazil should serve as a lesson to future hosts.
Euro politicos complete Qatar visit and report that change is underway
By Andrew Warshaw
March 25 – European Parliament officials believe Qatar is already making up ground to get to grips to with the workers’ rights issue that has plagued 2022 World Cup organisers.
Inside Insight: You gotta love the old racial profiling game
March 25 – Not a fan of Qatar and aware of numerous potential and obvious downsides (debilitating summer heat above all), we have always kept an open mind about a World Cup in the Middle East, once the hosting rights were allotted.
Porto Alegre warns it must have funding tax breaks to stay as a 2014 host
March 25 – The mayor of Porto Alegre has warned the city may be forced to drop out of the World Cup if key legislation is not approved this week.
Belo Horizonte set for matches and fans, on plan and stadium-ready
By Andrew Warshaw
March 21 – Belo Horizonte officials say their stadium will be 100% ready for the World Cup this summer and have played down a recent leak in the roof just hours before a regional game.
Adidas add Bosnia but trail Nike by one in World Cup kit supply league
March 21 – Adidas have agreed to supply the kit for debutants Bosnia and Herzegovina at this year’s World Cup finals, meaning it will sponsor nine of the 32 teams taking part.
US’s Garber steps into Qatar debate saying they could host 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
March 21 – The debate over staging the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been stoked again by hard-hitting remarks in the United States from MLS Commissioner Don Garber who championed the ability of his own country to take the job on.
Amnesty urges FIFA to keep Qatar focus, but is it now missing the point?
March 20 – FIFA is being urged by Amnesty International not to downplay the mistreatment of construction workers’ on Qatar’s 2022 World Cup sites when football’s world governing body hears an update on the issue at its executive committee meeting today and tomorrow.
Warner dismisses Qatar allegations as a ‘witch hunt’ but gets heat in Trinidad to clear his name
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
March 19 – Disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has dismissed the latest corruption allegations against him as “foolishness” and says there is a “witch hunt” against 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar.
Qatar 2022 organisers slam latest ITUC report as incorrect and a smear campaign
By Andrew Warshaw
March 17 – Qatar’s World Cup organisers, buffeted by constant attacks about the country’s human rights record, have gone on the offensive by branding the latest report into the mistreatment of workers as a smear campaign “riddled with factual errors”.
Shaikh Salman wants Asia v Oceania World Cup play-off
By David Owen
March 17 – The head of Asian football has given his support to a modification to the World Cup qualifying system that would see the fifth-placed team in Asian qualifying play off against the top team in Oceania for a place in FIFA’s flagship tournament.
Interview with Jérôme Valcke: There must be construction safety in Qatar
FIFA is happy that Qatar 2022 is building landmark stadia and infrastructure, but general secretary Jérôme Valcke says that while the debate on the issues has moved on, the construction companies and the Qatari authorities must ensure there are no more deaths