Volgograd, Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg face 2018 World Cup axe
July 21 – Three Russian cities have been identified as being those which face being cut from the country’s 2018 World Cup programme.
Interpol World Cup raids arrest 1,400 and seize $12m across Asia
By Paul Nicholson
July 21 – Interpol are claiming a major success in the battle against illegal betting rings in Asia with a six-week World Cup operation carrying out more than 1,000 raids, 1,400 arrests and the seizure of $12 million.
Qataris pass first laws to take heat out of migrant worker work conditions
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Qatar’s authorities have approved key measures to improve the treatment of foreign workers amid pressure to comply with international standards in the buildup to the 2022 World Cup.
Foreign players stay away, but Ukraine to go ahead with season kick off
By Paul Nicholson
July 21 – The Ukrainian national championship is still scheduled to start this week (July 25), despite fears over national security following the downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 and the loss of 295 lives. Several international players have refused to return to the Ukraine with their clubs.
Dunga waits in wings to take over Brazilian national team
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Former World Cup-winning captain Dunga looks set to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari as Brazil’s national coach following the World Cup host nation’s 7-1 semi-final humiliation against eventual winners Germany.
Inside Insight: ‘For the powerful, crimes are those that others commit’
The Noam Chomsky quote appears to apply to all sorts of societies, businesses and people. One is tempted to add a variation of the theme and say: “For the hypocrites, crimes are those that others commit”. Far too many Brits have been claiming rather jingoistically, and for many years, that Britain could never compete with the massive corruption scandals that “those awful aliens” seem to specialise in.
San Jose to open new 70,000-seat Levi’s Stadium with BMW driving the show
July 21 – BMW Northern California has become the official automobile partner of San Jose Earthquakes, in time for the opening game of at the new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. BMW will be the presenting sponsor for the match against Seattle Sounders on August 2.
UEFA opts to keep Russian and Ukrainian teams apart
By Mark Baber
July 19 – UEFA has taken the decision to keep teams from Russia and Ukraine apart in European competition but are allowing the Ukrainian teams to play home games despite fears over the security situation in the country.
Aussie court fines third Brit for match-fixing down under
July 18 – An Australian court has sanctioned a third British footballer for his part in a match-fixing racket that rigged games in the semi-professional league in the state of Victoria.
Germany top rankings, English plummet, Costa Rica and Holland rise
July 18 – World champions Germany as expected top the latest FIFA world rankings but England have slumped to their lowest position – 20th – for 18 years.
Rosberg FI helmet celebration knocked on the head
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – German Formula One driver Nico Rosberg has been forced to ditch plans to wear a specially designed helmet in celebration of his country’s World Cup triumph after FIFA said an image of the trophy would breach intellectual property rights.
Israeli teams barred from home European fixtures as security worsens
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – The increasingly dangerous military conflict in the Middle East has had an immediate impact on football with UEFA barring Israeli teams from playing European matches at home while the fighting between Israel and Hamas continues.
Venue and schedule released for US debut of Copa Centroamericana
July 18 – Costa Rican fans living in the US will have the opportunity to see their World Cup heroes back in competitive action this September when the Copa Centroamericana kicks off in Washington with the Los Ticos taking on Nicaragua in the opening match.
Last minute court suspension will keep Nigeria playing and NFF board in place
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – FIFA looks set to lift its suspension on Nigeria imposed because of government interference in the affairs of the country’s national federation.
Hull City break sponsorship record with two-year 12Bet deal
By Mark Baber
July 18 – 12BET, the sports betting brand, have confirmed a new two-year sponsorship of Hull City Tigers. The sponsorship is the largest in the club’s history, following a successful season in the Premier League and an FA Cup run that saw the club make it all the way to the final, though not to lift the trophy.