FIFA expects to run up extra World Cup drug testing costs

Michel dHooghe

By David Owen
September 23 – FIFA is resigned to running up unexpected extra costs to ensure that an effective drug testing programme is in operation at next year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Michel D’Hooghe (pictured), the governing body’s leading medical expert, acknowledged as much in a short telephone conversation with insideworldfootball at the weekend. D’Hooghe said the cost issue was one of the reasons FIFA was “not happy”.

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UEFA federations clamour for a piece of the Euro 2020 action

Michel Platini2

By Andrew Warshaw
September 20 – The revolutionary multi-venue European Championship finals in 2020 have attracted no fewer than 32 applicants from across the Continent, well over half of the entire UEFA membership, it was announced today. Thirteen cities will be chosen in September next year to stage the one-off pan-European finals which UEFA President Michel Platini hopes will reduce construction costs and travel.

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J-League switches to two-stage season in bid to boost fans and revenue

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By Mark Baber
September 20 – Japan’s J-League will be returning a two-stage season in 2015, according to an official statement, in a bid to increase interest from fans and sponsors which has been in decline since 2008. The move has met opposition from core supporters who have demonstrated outside the Japan Football Association’s Headquarters as well as at recent games.

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€40m Sofia new stadium talks back on with Ludogorets Razgrad in the frame

Stefanov--Domuschiev

By Alexander Krassimirov
September 20 – Bulgaria’s Sofia stadium debate has taken another twist with president and owner of Slavia Sofia Ventsislav Stefanov (pictured left) announcing that he is in negotiation with the owner of PFC Ludogorets Razgrad, Kiril Domuschiev (pictured right), to build a new joint stadium in Sofia. PFC Ludogorets have won the Bulgarian champions for the past two years but play home games at Razgrad – a small town in north-east of Bulgaria.

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UEFA to back 2022 date switch, but want consultation on alternatives

uefa flag

By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
September 19 – UEFA’s 54 member nations are backing Michel Platini’s campaign for the 2022 Qatar World Cup to be switched from summer – but an exact alternative date remains undecided. The UEFA boss wants the tournament to be moved to January as distinct from November and December which is believed to be the favoured option of FIFA.

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Olympics look set for another ‘hot’ sporting moment

Tokyo 2020

September 19 – The Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 will be staged in what could be the hottest weather for the event in 120 years, with temperatures reaching 38°C and with Tokyo’s humidity at 71% the temperature would actually feel like 62°C, according to the U.S. National Weather Service’s Heat Index calculator.

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