Petition against 2015 World Cup on artificial grass gathers pace
By Andrew Warshaw
March 27 – FIFA’s decision to play the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada on artificial turf has prompted an unexpected backlash.
FIFA prepares referees for Brazil 2014 World Cup
March 27 – As the Ralf Willi cartoon pictured here says, the referees take this seriously (personally) as well. FIFA is running a series of seminars for prospective referees and assistant referees in April in preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Snakes in football, Indian venom-busters told to clean up game
By Mark Baber
March 27 – Mohun Bagan beat Pailan Arrows at the Kalyani Stadium on Sunday 3-2, in front of 5,000 spectators, blissfully ignorant of over a dozen poisonous serpents lingering nearby.
Costa Rica appeal for replay of US 2014 qualifier turned down
March 27 – Costa Rica’s protest to FIFA over being forced to play their World Cup qualifier against the United States in a snowstorm has been thrown out on a technicality, a ruling that seems certain to incense the central American country.
UEFA ExCo meetings kick off with 2020 Euros topping agenda
By Andrew Warshaw
March 27 – The bidding process for the groundbreaking pan-Continental Euro 2020 finals dominates the agenda of a two-day UEFA executive committee (ExCo) meeting today and tomorrow.
Russians warm up for 2018 with 2014 fan fests in host cities
March 26 – Russian World Cup organisers are planning to stage fan fests across the country during next year’s tournament in Brazil – four years before their own event.
Artificial turf for women’s world cup sparks player protests
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – The next Women’s World Cup will make history as the first major FIFA trophy to be decided on artificial turf – but leading players have been quick to express their disapproval.
Whistleblower breaks silence on ‘slavery’ of Indonesian football
Exclusive: by Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
March 26 – The full extent of the alarming state of Indonesian football has been laid bare by the federation’s chief physiotherapist who claims he has not been paid for five months and has written to FIFA pleading with them to intervene.
Hungarian nationalists use World Cup qualifier to stage violent protest
By Mark Baber
March 26 – There were disturbances outside the Ferenc Puskas stadium and teargas fired as Hungary and Romania played out a 2-2 draw in their World Cup qualifier behind closed doors. FIFA had ordered the match to be played in an empty stadium following anti-semitic incidents during a Hungary vs Israel friendly in Budapest last August.
Osasu Obayiuwana: Who will untie the Qatari knot?
Whether the Gulf state of Qatar likes it or not, the recurring question of its suitability for hosting the 2022 World Cup is an issue that will just not disappear into the Arabian sunset.
That’s evident from the robust end to the press conference that followed FIFA’s executive committee meeting, in Zurich, last Thursday.
And it’s not just because of the serious allegations of corruption in the bidding process, resurrected by the recent “Qatargate”
Michael Riehl, senior VP global brand and sports relations, adidas, dies
March 26 – One of football’s most well known and influential figures, Michael Riehl, the Senior Vice President Global Brand and Sports Relations for adidas, died unexpectedly on Sunday in Germany at the age of 56.
FIFA to review Costa Rica’s demand for replay of 2014 qualifier vs US
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – FIFA are studying a demand by Costa Rica to replay last week’s controversial World Cup qualifier against the United States – played in a snowstorm. While Northern Ireland’s game with Russia was twice postponed because of adverse weather conditions, the CONCACAF qualifier went ahead with the USA winning 1-0 in Colorado.
Chinese Chery goes Brazilian with Santos and Neymar
By Mark Baber
March 25 – An unusual 8-day, 3-match deal between Chinese automaker Chery and Brazilian club Santos concluded yesterday after the Palmeiras-Santos game.
Date dispute over postponed NI vs Russia World Cup qualifier
March 25 – FIFA could be forced into making a ruling on when to reschedule the World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and Russia, twice postponed because of the unseasonally hostile weather that has ripped through most of Britain.
CFU issues vote ‘directive’ to members, Gulati the big winner
Exclusive: by Paul Nicholson
March 25 – Having already stepped in to the row surrounding the election of the Antigua and Barbuda FA executive committee and demanding a new vote is conducted, FIFA may have to step into the region again following a letter from the Antiguan president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Gordon ‘Banks’ Derrick to its federations recommending who they should vote for at the upcoming CONCACAF elections, April 19 in Panama.