Amuneke lays blame for African 2018 performances on poor talent development
July 12 – Africa will never fulfil their potential on the World Cup stage unless they develop their youth properly and have strong enough characters on the field.
World Cup
No more sexy women, says FIFA, as broadcasters told to censor their crowd shots
July 12 – While racism has been virtually non-existent at the World Cup, the anti-discrimination group advising FIFA says broadcasters have focussed too much on picking out attractive females and that there has been too much sexism generally in and around cities.
Socked. Down and out England fined by FIFA for wearing wrong ankle supports
July 12 – It will hardly register amid the disappointment of semi-final elimination but the English FA has been fined CHF70,000 after three players – Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Raheem Sterling – wore unauthorised equipment at the World Cup.
Vida video puts more heat on Croatian over ‘Belgrade burn’ comment
July 11 – FIFA is investigating a new video of Croatia defender Domagoj Vida’s comments in the wake of his side’s quarterfinal World Cup victory over Russia.
Russians catch the football bug. The world catches the Russia 2018 virus
By Andrew Warshaw
July 10 – Whether Russian football will revert to its pre-World Cup domestic issues of racism and fan violence once the tournament is over remains to be seen. But for the last four weeks the country has bent over backwards to be as welcoming and accommodating to the thousands of foreign visitors attending games.
Adidas dependent on Belgium to prevent all-Nike World Cup final
By David Owen
July 10 – Belgium will try to keep the Adidas flag flying at Russia 2018 in St Petersburg tonight.
FIFA warns Vida after Croatian offends Russians with bad Ukrainian ‘joke’
July 9 – In the latest political row involving players at the World Cup, Croatia’s Domagoj Vida has avoided punishment from FIFA after being filmed proclaiming “glory to Ukraine” in the wake of his side’s quarterfinal victory over Russia.
FIFA convenes panel to share diversity and anti-discrimination learnings of Russia 2018
July 9 – One of the big success stories of the World Cup so far has been the welcome the Russians have given to visitors regardless of nationality, colour or religion.
Why Belgium may be steeled to avenge unlucky Kobe defeat
By David Owen
July 6 – There is World Cup history attached to both of Friday’s quarter-final match-ups in Russia. In the case of France versus Uruguay in Nizhny Novgorod, I do not see it having any particular bearing on this week’s outcome; in that of Belgium versus Brazil, it very well might.
FIFA rebukes ambassador Maradona for Colombia vs England refereeing comments
July 5 – FIFA has apologised on behalf of Diego Maradona for comments he made about the officiating in England’s last-16 World Cup tie against Colombia.
Why Manchester City and Nike are winning the World Cup
By David Owen
July 5 – Manchester City have more World Cup survivors at the quarter-final stage than any other club.
Not big enough? Pekerman moans and moans and moans, a bit like a Colombian player
By Andrew Warshaw
July 4 – The hoodoo is over but not without considerable controversy. As England fans revel in World Cup progress after their team finally banished decades of heartbreaking penalty shootout eliminations in the most nail-biting of circumstances, Colombia’s coach has refused to go quietly.
Mikel talks of father’s kidnapping in Nigeria and his decision to play against Argentina
July 4 – Nigerian captain John Obi Mikel has revealed how he played through his country’s crucial World Cup tie with Argentina knowing that his father had been kidnapped.
Germany keep faith in Low despite Russia 2018 disaster
July 4 – Joachim Low is to stay on Germany’s manager despite their shock group stage exit from the World Cup.
One step at a time. Neymar’s theatrics overshadow Brazil’s win over Mexico
July 3 – As Brazil await a mouth-watering World Cup quarterfinal against Belgium, the focus of attention is once again on their mercurial striker Neymar – but not for the right reasons.