FIFA launch social media monitoring programme but can they be trusted with the data?
November 17 – FIFA in collaboration with Fifpro have launched social media protection service for players at the World Cup Qatar 2022.
World Cup
Israel tells citizens to keep low profile in Qatar for their own safety
November 17 – Israel is urging its citizens travelling to the World Cup in Qatar to keep a low profile.
A Bud night out at the Qatar 2022 Fan Fest will cost a whopping £12.50 a pint
November 17 – World Cup organisers have once again changed their beer plans. After moving vending stalls out of sight, the price for a can if Budweiser will cost 50 Qatari riyals (£12.50) inside the main fan zone.
Iran’s players can support women’s rights, says Queiros, but ‘bringing joy’ is the big task
November 16 – Amid sweeping protests back home, Iran’s players will be allowed to voice support for women’s rights at the World Cup in Qatar but within the rules of the tournament, coach Carlos Queiros confirmed on Tuesday.
Fifpro warns that pressure of Qatar 2022 workload will break players
November 16 – The danger of having the World Cup in the middle of the European season has been starkly highlighted by the world players’ union Fifpro warning ominously of a greater risk of injury due to the demands of a congested calendar.
More injury trouble for France as Nkunku limps out of training
November 16 – France have been dealt yet another injury blow on the eve of the World Cup after exciting RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku (pictured) limped out of training on Tuesday.
Bundesliga fans unite in series of protests against Qatar’s human rights record
November 15 – Just days before the start of the World Cup, German fans have stepped up their protest against Qatar staging the tournament.
Brazilian FA backs Infantino ‘muzzling’ call but did Tite get the memo?
November 15 – The Brazilian Confederation of Football (CBF) has expressed support for Gianni Infantino’s ‘shut-up-and-play’ policy at the World Cup in Qatar.
Top 5 players who will not be at the Qatar World Cup
November 15 – FIFA champions its World Cup as the most elite football competition in the world. However, only some elite players get to compete for the most coveted title in world football.
Thuram fills last place in French squad for Qatar 2022
November 15 – Marcus Thuram has been handed the last spot in the France squad that will defend its World Cup title in Qatar while the uncapped Axel Disasi was also called up on Monday after Presnel Kimpembe had to pull out with injury.
All happy-clappy in FIFA-land as legends launch Football Unites the World campaign
November 15 – Never mind the reported 5,000+ dead bodies that have created the infrastructure for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, or the reported $385 million spent on Qatari espionage campaigns to discredit and/or buy influence, or the unwelcome LGBTQ folk (you can come but we’d rather you didn’t you poor mentally afflicted people), or even the gagging order on all you stupid players that might have the power of independent thought…(we own you even if we don’t pay for you).
Ecuador drop Colombian-born Castillo from Qatar squad ‘to avoid future problems’
November 14 – In an ironic twist, Byron Castillo, the player at the centre of the bitter, long-running dispute over his World Cup eligibility, has been left out of Ecuador’s squad for the finals tournament.
Saudis cut Al-Mulwallad from Qatar 2022 after WADA go to CAS to extend doping ban
November 14 – Saudi Arabia has been forced to pull one of its leading World Cup players because of an ongoing doping case.
German World Cup winner Lahm says World Cup 2022 ‘doesn’t belong’ in Qatar
November 14 – Germany’s 2004 World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm (pictured) has re-iterated his stance that Qatar should never have been allowed to host the World Cup and is boycotting the tournament.
Fernandes and Eriksen express reservations over Qatar 2022 but are ready to play
November 14 – Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has expressed his reservations about the winter World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off next weekend with the hosts playing Ecuador in the tournament’s curtain raiser.