Future AFC presidents to be also FIFA vice-presidents, beginning in 2015

Presidents of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) will also be named vice-presidents of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) beginning with the next elections in 2015, the AFC announced on 10/06/2014. Separate since 2010, these two roles will be again merged as per a vote by…

Euro 2016: UEFA launches its hospitality programme two years from opening match kickoff

On 10/06/2014, two years to the day of the start of Euro 2016 (France, 10/06 to 10/07/2016), UEFA (Union of European Associations soccer) launched its hospitality programme for the competition. There are two types of offers: the Gold Packages, which include seats in category one and access to a…

FIFA: 64^th congress in Sao Paulo on 10 and 11/06/2014; Blatter expected to announce candidacy

The 64^th annual congress of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) will be held in Sao Paulo (BRA) on 10 and 11/06/2014, before the opening of the World Cup (12/06 to 13/07/2014). It will bring together the representatives of the 209 national federations affiliated with FIFA…

Russia: Vote delayed on integration of Crimean clubs into national championships

On 07/06/2014 RFU (Russian Football Union) delayed a vote in which its members would be asked to decide on the possible integration of Crimean clubs into the Russian championships. No date has been set for a future vote. Crimea proclaimed its independence from Ukraine on 11/03/2014, before being…

Brazil 2014: Government sets up temporary courts in stadiums and airports

Courts have been set up in the stadiums and airports of the 12 host cities of the 2014 World Cup (12/06 to 13/07/2014) in order to provide immediate trials of troublemakers, the Brazilian government announced on 08/06/2014. Brazilian authorities worry that violent groups may threaten the smooth…

Qatar 2022: After Adidas, Visa, Sony and Coca-Cola, three more FIFA partners release statements

On 09/06/2014 three more statements were released by FIFA partners concerning the investigation by the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) ethics committee into the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. They come from Hyundai and Kia, major FIFA co-partners; Anheuser-Busch…

FIFA: "I still have fire inside me" says Joseph Blatter, who will run for fifth term in 2015

Joseph Blatter (Switzerland), the president of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), announced at the 36^th ordinary general assembly of CAF (Confederation of African Football) in Sao Paulo (BRA) on 09/06/2014 that he will seek a fifth term in 2015. "I still have the fire inside…

Brazil 2014: Safety inspectors approve both temporary stands in Sao Paulo stadium

Safety inspectors approved the use of the temporary stands for the opening of the World Cup (Brazil-Croatia, 12/06/2014), said Fast Engenharia, the subcontractor responsible for their installation, on 06/06/2014. Only the cleaning remains to be done, the company said. Use of the temporary stands…

The 2014-15 Serie A managers

Argentina: Buenos Aires promises subsidies to clubs that recruit Chinese players

Buenos Aires (Argentina) will offer subsidies to clubs that recruit Chinese players, announced Mauricio Macri, Buenos Aires' mayor, on 05/06/2014. "We are launching this initiative with the desire to continue to build relationships and exchange opportunities with China, which is such an important…