Day 12: Final round previews: ESP v AUS, NED v CHI, BRA v CAM, MEX v CRO
June 23 – The final round of group games kick off today with Groups A and B playing to conclusion. The two matches in each Group match will have the same kick off times.
Ghanaian FA moves fast to deny involvement in match-fixing ‘friendlies’
By Andrew Warshaw in Belo Horizonte
June 23 – The first match-fixing scam surrounding a country participating at the World Cup – though not linked to any of its actual matches here – has been fiercely denied by Ghanaian officials.
Macau police smash illegal World Cup betting ring uncovering one £3m bet
By Mark Baber
June 23 – Macau police claim to have smashed two illegal gambling rings, arresting 26 people in separate hotel raids and seizing cash and other evidence. The raids uncovered evidence of HK$5 billion in illegal bets on World Cup football matches in a week – including a single HK$40 million (£3 million) bet on one World Cup match.
Report details depth and aggression of Israeli interference in Palestinian football
By Paul Nicholson
June 23 – Human rights group Nonviolence International has released the full report written in conjunction with the Palestinian FA into the abuses and disruption by Israeli authorities of footballers and football in the Palestinian occupied territories.
Lufthansa lands Frankfurt deal to disrupt flight paths of Middle Eastern airlines
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
June 23 – Eintracht Frankfurt is eyeing an expanded sponsorship deal with German airline Lufthansa. The deal could generate revenues of about €5 million for the football club over the next five years.
South American teams surge to the fore in Brazil
By David Owen
June 23 – South American teams have excelled in the second round of World Cup group matches, taking over from CONCACAF as the competition’s most successful region. While this could be interpreted as an example of making home advantage count, host-nation Brazil, held to a goalless draw by Mexico, were ironically the only South American side not to win their second match at the tournament.
Russian audit chamber finds $88m world cup stadium design overspend
June 23 – Cost control of World Cup stadium build and accusations of corruption is not an issue confined to Brazil. Russia’s state Audit Chamber has found that the design work for its 2018 stadia has been over-priced by as much as 3 billion rubles ($88 million).
Costa Ricans protest over multiple player blood tests
By Andrew Warshaw in Belo Horizonte
June 22 – Costa Rica’s football federation has sent a letter to FIFA demanding an explanation for why so many of its players were required to take dope tests following their stunning victory over Italy that qualified them for the last 16 of the World Cup for only the second time in their history.
FIFA bonus to provide immediate $8 million boost for women’s football
By David Owen
June 21 – FIFA has set out detailed arrangements for payment of the $750,000 bonus promised earlier this month by its President Joseph Blatter to all 209 member associations.
Qataris unveil 60,000 seat Al Khor stadium design
June 22 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have unveiled the name and design for another of its proposed World Cup stadia – a 60,000-capacity venue in Al Khor which is scheduled to stage a semi-final and is due to be completed in 2018.
Day 11: Previews and pre-match stats: BEL v RUS, ALG v KOR, USA v POR
June 22 – Closing second round matches have all sides needing a win for qualification security. The final round of group games starts Monday with each group’s matches kicking off at the same time.
FIFA stay on match-fixing alert as group games reach closing stages
By Andrew Warshaw in Belo Horizonte
June 21 – FIFA’s monitoring of World Cup warm-up matches revealed no apparent instances of match-fixing according to head of security Ralf Mutschke (pictured). Several friendlies before the 2010 World Cup were later found to have been rigged leading FIFA to take a close look at dozens of similar games in the build-up to Brazil.
Day 10 previews and match stats: ARG v IRA, GER v GHA, NIG v BOS
June 21 – Africans play for survival and continental pride while the battle of the Boatengs sets up a family feud. Meanwhile, expect Messi to march on in Belo
Poland’s Lodz picks €29 million stadium design for Widzew
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
June 21 – The Lodz Municipal authorities have awarded the contract to build a new stadium for Widzew Lodz to Polish construction company PRM Mosty Lodz. The project is worth PLN 120 million (€29 million) and is scheduled to be completed within 28 months.
Osasu Obayiuwana: Why progress should not hold football back
With the World Cup in Brazil being the first in which Goal Line Technology (GLT) is used, to ascertain whether a ball has crossed the line, its effectiveness – and using similar aids, to reduce other refereeing errors – will certainly be a regular talking point.
And not just amongst fans, as the animated conversation between Didier Deschamps and Luis Suarez, the managers of France and Honduras, over Les Bleus’ second goal, in their 3-0 win in Group E,