Qatar 2022: East meets West and lunch with an Arab
It’s early afternoon at the official FIFA ticket resale centre near downtown Doha.
Qataris and FIFA brush off another worker death accusing world media of a ‘false narrative’
December 9 – Dismissing the death of a migrant worker from the Philippines at Saudi Arabia’s training resort in Qatar, World Cup boss Nasser Al Khater has said: “Death is a natural part of life, whether at work, whether in your sleep.”
Under fire Warner battles to retain control of Trinidad Centre of Excellence
December 9 – The walls are closing in on former FIFA vice president and Concacaf president Jack Warner. Having lost his appeal against extradition to the US, earlier this week he lost a first round legal battle with Concacaf over a long running dispute concerning the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Trinidad.
Wenger goes cold on biennial World Cup but warms to winter editions
December 9 – Having championed staging the World Cup every two years, FIFA’s director of development Arsene Wenger now appears to be backtracking over the idea.
AFC moves Champions League west zone dates back as it transitions to new calendar
December 9 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has moved its AFC Champions League 2022 Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-final centralised matches in the West region as well as the two-legged Final.
Hopfen quits Bundesliga over strategy, club execs Hellman and Leki drafted in interim
December 9 – Donata Hopfen, CEO of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga, will quit her role at the end of the year, being replaced on an interim basis by two Bundesliga club execs, Axel Hellmann and Oliver Leki.
Enrique passes on leadership to De la Fuente to ignite young Spanish side
December 9 – Luis Enrique (pictured) has stepped down as Spain manager following their premature exit at the World Cup. Morocco eliminated his side from the penalty spot in the last 16 following a 120-minute goalless draw.
Future World Cup city hosts gather in Doha for show-and-tell powwow
December 9 – FIFA has completed its World Cup Observer Programme in Qatar, designed to give future hosts insight into how FIFA expects its World Cups to be run.
US top women’s world rankings but European nations closing the gap
December 9 – Despite losing three of their past four matches, the US women’s team still top the FIFA world rankings, though the gap between them and second placed Germany is narrowing.
What you don’t know about the betting predictions offered online
December 9 – With the world’s attention focussed on its most popular sport as the World Cup reaches the quarter final stage, so there has been a flood of attention on the arrival of many new iGaming websites.
Qatar, FIFA and ‘silent’ Infantino pressured over whistleblower Ibhais’ jailing for a crime he didn’t commit
December 8 – Human rights organisation FairSquare has called on the UN to help World Cup whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais, who is currently in prison serving a three-year sentence. Ibhais family have accused FIFA of “callous indifference” over his plight within and an opaque Qatari legal system.
Rainbow’s end: FIFA says no politics but Palestinian flags, songs and banners go unchecked
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – They may not have had a team at the World Cup in Qatar but they have enjoyed a massive following just the same.
PSG and ECA’s Al-Khelaifi says fan power will trump greed of Super League trio
December 8 – Nasser Al-Khelaifi, one of the most powerful officials in European football, says fans will never let a breakaway Super League happen even if the courts decide in its favour.
Infantino puts a bird’s-eye spin on the ‘greatest group stages ever’ as he brings joy to the world
December 8 – In an inhouse interview, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed Qatar hosted the “best group stage ever” at a World Cup with high attendances and record television figures.
UEFA boosts digital capability with 8-year Atos partnership
December 8 – Digital transformation Atos has signed an eight-year deal to become a UEFA National Team Football partner.