Qatar hires consultants to advise on 2022 stadia business planning
May 29 – The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has appointed Amsterdam Arena and IMG as the Stadium Operations Consultants for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Author: Paul Nicholson
UEFA isolated at FIFA’s top table over age and term reforms
Exclusive: by Andrew Warshaw in Mauritius
May 29 – The full extent of the split between Europe and the rest of FIFA – and potentially between Sepp Blatter and his possible successor Michel Platini – over the much-touted reform process has been underlined with the revelation that UEFA were officially outvoted over the decision to postpone age and term limits for senior officials for another 12 months.
FIFA’s top auditor blasts Warner and Blazer and warns of criminal charges
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent, in Mauritius
May 29 – The official charged with enforcing proper financial controls at FIFA after a spate of corruption scandals has launched an astonishing attack on Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer, the disgraced duo who led CONCACAF for the best part of a generation.
Mauritius update: Portugal and Columbia win bids, Figueredo takes charge of 2014
May 29 – FIFA’s executive committee may have been split on the reform package they are to put to Friday’s Congress vote, but they did find concensus on other matters, including the awarding of tournament hosts, shortlisting of tournament bids and an update on next year’s World Cup.
Webb’s anti-racism task force gets tough with sanction demands
By Andrew Warshaw, in Mauritius
May 29 – The man leading the global fight to wipe racism out of football has confirmed that players and officials face five-match bans and that clubs and national teams face points deductions, stadium closures, relegation and being thrown out of competitions if found guilty of abuse.
FIFA splits cause age limits and term of office to be dropped from reform vote
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correpondent, in Mauritius
May 29 – Sepp Blatter’s personal crusade to clean up FIFA after years of scandal and corruption has taken a massive hit with the news that age restrictions and term of office limits for FIFA officials – viewed as a key part of the two-year road map to reform – have been dropped from the agenda at Friday’s annual congress.
Al Hilal Bank signs on for fifth year of UAE’s Presidents Cup
May 28 – Al Hilal Bank, the Abu Dhabi bank, has renewed its sponsorship of the UAE’s premier club tournament, the UAE President’s Cup, for a fifth year. The other major sponsors are Etisalat and the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel.
Qatar’s Barwa denies it plans $5.5 billion island to house World Cup fans
By Mark Baber
May 28 – Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Group has denied its proposed Oryx Island & Gulf Resort projects, widely reported as planned to house World Cup fans, are in any way related to projects for the 2022 World Cup.
Brazilian plans awash as Arena Fonte Nova stadium roof collapses
By Mark Baber
May 28 – Just when it looked like everything was at last under control in Brazil in readiness for the Confedertion Cup which kicks off mid-June, another building disaster has sruck.
UEFA’s big week out in London sets new TV and social media highs on Finals day
May 28 – UEFA have released a set Champions League numbers that show another year of impressive growth and making the final, says UEFA, “the world’s most-watched annual television sporting event on television and social media platforms”.
Cardiff owner Tan weighs up stock market float for Premiership newcomer
May 28 – Vincent Tan, Malaysian owner of newly promoted English Premier League club Cardiff City, has indicated that he would be prepared to sell or float the club on the stock markets.
Kevin Phillips and the art of the £120 million spot-kick
By David Owen
May 28 – He is within two months of his 40th birthday – and now he can claim to be the £120 million man. Kevin Phillips, the former Baldock Town, Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham, Blackpool and (eight times) England striker, blasted Crystal Palace back into the Premier League from the penalty spot on Monday, sending opponents Watford, another of his former clubs, into the depths of despair.
Inside Insight: Über Abschreiberlinge und andere Erstaunlichkeiten
Es schallt und raucht. Die Bildschirme biegen sich allenthalben unter dem Gewicht des Wortschwalls, der da laut und unmissverständlich aus angelsächsichen Laptops in den Cyberäther drängelt, dicht gefolgt von plagiarisierenden Deppen teutscher Sprache, die anstelle des Selbstgegorenen (weil eben schwieriger, eine eigene Meinung zu haben, als eine andere kopiert zu wiederkäuen), lieber den Schwachsinn aus englischen Landen, als die scheinbar abscheuliche Manna der “real existierende Rechstprechung” herumreichen.
Die Rede ist vom Abschreiberling, der – selber eher unzureichend mit Intellekt ausgestattet – die Kunst der Boulevaldisierung von allem und jedem bis hin zum Gehtnichtmehr beherrscht.
Aussies crack down on live betting odds in sports broadcasts
By Mark Baber
May 27 – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (pictured) has announced the broadcasting of live betting odds will be banned from sports coverage, with gambling advertising relegated to designated commercial breaks during quarter and half-times.
South Asians move championship forward to avoid AFC date clashes
By Mark Baber
May 27 – The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has moved this year’s edition of the biannual SAFF Championship, to be held in Kathmandu, forward by two weeks.