Lee Wellings: Heat is not just on Qatar but on prejudice as well

It’s a worrying scenario isn’t it.

A searing sun, temperatures over 40 degrees, players and spectators wilting, the action bordering on farce as it becomes survival of the fittest, not the most talented.

It’s not going to happen with the World Cup in Qatar 2022 though is it? Just ask Jerome Valcke.

No, I refer of course to the Australian Open tennis. You see Melbourne can get quite hot at this time of year.

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Massimo Cecchini: Seedorf, the non-political voice of Berlusconi

Ormai sembra più di un’impressione: scegliendo Clarence Seedorf come nuovo allenatore, il Milan non ha individuato soltanto un avventuroso profilo professionale, ma anche un fedele portavoce di quella filosofia aziendale che fa capo al presidente Silvio Berlusconi, ovvero uno degli uomini più ricchi e più controversi d’Italia.

Non è un mistero, infatti, che il campione olandese originario del Suriname, anche quando era semplicemente un calciatore rossonero, si fosse distinto per la adesione alle posizioni anche extra-sportive del suo datore di lavoro.

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Bulgaria now set to get new national stadium in Sofia

Slavia stad

By Alexander Krassimirov
January 16 – German company IFS has reached an agreement with the Bulgarian Football Union to build a new modern stadium in Sofia. The facility will be built on the site of Slavia stadium and will be the national stadium for home games as well as being used by Slavia FC.

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Rio campsite launches to cater for 2014 fans on a tight budget

Camping in Rio

By Paul Nicholson
January 16 – Fans who are being priced out of attending the Brazil World Cup because of the high rates of accommodation should take a look at a campsite option launched by two Englishmen in Recreio, in the west of Rio de Janeiro. For £35 a day per person, campers can turn up and get the full World Cup experience in one of Rio’s safer districts and in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

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