Fifa World Cup 2014 Brazil

Follow the qualifiers LIVE

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:07:00 +0000

Fifa[Wednesday, November 09, 2011]This Friday, the battle for places at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ steps up another notch when Africa becomes the fourth confederation to embark on qualifying. In Asia, and in North and Central America and the Caribbean, some of the early hopefuls are already out of the running, but the African nations go into battle for the first time this week.

The programme features 35 matches all over the world – and http://fifacup2014bzil.blogspot.com is reporting live from every single game, bringing you the fans close up to the drama and the goals.

For the first time in qualifying for the greatest football tournament on the planet, you’ll be able to enjoy our totally new MatchCast service, overhauled from the ground up with a new design, extra features and even more interactivity. Our new FIFA World Cup qualifying flagship will keep fans from all over the world completely up-to-date at all times as the action unfolds at the stadiums.

Live coverage from every match
You can follow every game in full from kick-off onwards, as we bring you the current score, goals and scorers, yellow and red cards and all other big incidents in the game.

Lively and fun FanChat
Now we come to the core of the MatchCast service! When the 70 teams enter the fray on Friday, fans of each and every nation will be cheering on their teams and hoping for success from their homes. Meet up with fans from all over the world in our FanChat, voice your opinions, and debate the latest topics, results and incidents. From Australia to Togo, from Argentina to Guatemala, http://fifacup2014bzil.blogspot.com provides the perfect platform to meet and greet your fellow fans.

The best images
Follow the action all over the world in pictures! Marvel at the colourful scenes from Africa, the celebrations in Asia, the fiery showdowns in North and Central America, and the famous South American festivals of football. http://fifacup2014bzil.blogspot.com brings you the best images from FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Match stats
Who’s the leading goalscorer, and what's the situation with yellow and red cards? Learn everything there is to know about all the players and goalscorers.

Buoyant Bermuda keen to knock on

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:14:00 +0000

Fifa[Wednesday, November 09, 2011]

Traditionally one of the lower-ranked teams in North, Central America and the Caribbean zone, Bermuda have been making exciting strides of late. Trinidad and Tobago, a giant of the region who reached the FIFA World Cup™ in 2006, can surely attest to the Bermudans’ improvement as they were recently beaten by the Gombey Warriors for the second qualifying campaign on the trot.Led by captain and former New England Revolution winger Khano Smith and USA-based goal ace John Barry Nusum, the island of just under 65,000 inhabitants is out of the running for a place in Brazil 2014, but they showed great improvement in their most recent outings. A draw against Group B leaders Guyana and a shock 2-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago on 7 October has seen the Atlantic islanders leap up the FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking as well.

Bermuda were the best mover on the global ranking ladder for October, jumping up no fewer than 57 places in the competitive pecking order from 189 to 132. Their current position sees them approach their best-ever spot, 84th, achieved all the way back when the global ranking was established in 1993.

With two games against already-eliminated Barbados to go in the first round of group-stage CONCACAF qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Bermuda have no chance of reaching the next round. However, they can use these positive steps forward to build a more consistent base for the future. They are currently ahead of the likes of Congo DR, Congo and Vietnam and occupy 19th out of 35 possible positions in the CONCACAF zone.
The higher we are in the rankings the more attractive we are to other teams looking for practice matches; it will keep us in the shop window.
Mark Wade, Bermuda Football Association’s (BFA) player development committee chairman

“We have some good talent on the island,” was the assessment of captain Smith, who plays in the amateur leagues in Boston in the United States, having retired from professional football with multiple teams in Major League Soccer. “Good results in the early rounds of World Cup qualifying are a good start for us, but now we need to take that and roll it up into more consistent results, more consistently good play,” concluded the tall, speedy player who took over the mantel as Bermuda’s most famous sportsman following the retirement of former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater.

In their two remaining games, both at home against winless and goalless Barbados, Bermuda have the opportunity to take even greater strides up the world ranking. A pair of heavy wins would likely catapult them into the top 100, a position that could see them earn a potential seeded status in the draw for next year’s Caribbean Cup of Nations.

“There are a lot of knock-on effects from these two matches because we’re certainly looking for another big jump up the FIFA rankings,” said Mark Wade, Bermuda Football Association’s (BFA) player development committee chairman. “The higher we are in the rankings the more attractive we are to other teams looking for practice matches; it will keep us in the shop window. If we finish with two wins over Barbados I will have a wonderful Christmas. These games are still very important for us.”

With the talismanic Smith now 29 and Nusum in his 30s, both are entering the autumn of their international careers, opening the potential for a new generation of Bermudan talent to step up. Nahki Wells, Taurean Manders and Quadir Maynard are just a few of Bermuda’s faces for the future, all playing their football overseas and gaining valuable experience.

For a country that has never climbed into the top 50 of the FIFA/Coca-Cola world ranking, never reached a FIFA World Cup or CONCACAF Gold Cup, the aspirations are decidedly humble. However, with no place to go but up, and a penchant for knocking off their neighbours with big reputations, it could just be the start of something big for Bermuda.

Fifa will not allow England players to wear poppies against Spain, despite Government plea

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:07:00 +0000

Fifa[Wednesday, November 09, 2011]T

Fifa have rejected a Government request that England and Wales be allowed to wear commemorative poppies in this weekend's friendlies, claiming the move would "jeopardise the neutrality of football."
Paying tribute: Gabriel Agbonlahor's Aston Villa were one of several Premier League teams to wear a poppy on their shirt last weekend Photo: ACTION IMAGES

The world governing body have always maintained that wearing poppies on shirts would contravene their rules governing what is allowed on shirts, but sports minister Hugh Robertson called them reconsider.

"I am writing to you in support of requests from The Football Association and The Football Association of Wales to ask you to consider allowing the England and Wales football teams to wear poppies on their shirts for Saturday’s international matches, taking place a day before Remembrance Sunday," Robertson's said in a letter to Jerome Valcke, Fifa's general secretary.

"We fully understand, and respect, Fifa’s rules on its member nations not adorning their shirts with ‘commercial’, ‘political’, or ‘religious’ symbols or messages. The FA and FAW do not intend to contravene these rules. However, the British public feel very strongly about this issue which is seen as an act of national remembrance to commemorate those who gave their lives in the service of their country."

However, a Fifa statement issued in response said: "We regret to inform you that accepting such initiatives would open the door to similar initiatives from all over the world, jeopardising the neutrality of football. Therefore, we confirm herewith that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot be authorised.

"There are a variety of options where The FA can continue supporting the cause of Remembrance. One of them already was approved by FIFA, the Period of Silence."
obertson's plea came after the FA wrote to Fifa asking them to change their decision, and Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce offered his support.

Boyce said: "Personally I think there has to be a bit of common sense used when requests like this come in. Armistice Day is a very important day in the FA calendar, as it is with other associations, and I don't think it would offend anybody to have a poppy on the shirts.

"I am not involved in the decision and I do understand there have to be rules.

"But as this is a special request from a member of Fifa and is not of a political nature I believe that common sense should prevail and that it should be looked at in a different light."
Fifa have allowed a minute's silence to be held before the sell-out game, for the England players to wear poppies on their training kit at Wembley on Friday, and to stand for the traditional two minutes' silence to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month on Friday.

Fifa's rules prevent anything of a political nature being worn on shirts and although the organisation does not regard poppies as political, they are concerned it would open the door to countries wanting to wear various different emblems on their shirts, some of which would be overtly political.

FA general secretary Alex Horne made a fresh request to Fifa yesterday asking them to reconsider, and is now awaiting a response.

England v Spain: Fabio Capello's squad plan own Remembrance Day tributes after Fifa upholds poppy ruling

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:59:00 +0000

Fifa[Wednesday, November 09, 2011]

The England team intend to display poppies on their tracksuit jackets and wear black armbands at Wembley on Saturday following Fifa’s controversial refusal to allow poppies on their playing shirts. Tributes: England will wear a poppy on their tracksuits and wear black armbands when they face Spain on Saturday Photo: PA
A “final” statement was issued by Fifa on Tuesday afternoon which rejected written requests from both the Football Association and the Government for players to wear poppies during the friendly against Spain.

The decision has prompted considerable anger, with 1966 World Cup winner George Cohen urging the players to defy Fifa and still wear the poppies.

“As an Englishman, I would like our guys to wear it,” Cohen told Telegraph Sport. “It is one of our traditions. I don’t see the harm at all. I’m all for wearing them on Saturday and putting two fingers up to Fifa.”

Cohen’s frustration appears to be shared by many of England players. Rio Ferdinand, the vice-captain, on Tuesday went on Twitter to ask why Fifa was not allowing poppies to be worn.

Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal midfielder, was even more forthright. “England team should wear poppies on Saturday,” he tweeted. “It’s the nation’s tradition and it would be disrespectful not to. My Great Granddad fought for this country in WW2 and I’m sure a lot of people’s grandparents did, so wear the poppy.”
The FA, however, is acutely aware of Law 4 of Fifa’s Laws of the Game, which would allow referee Frank de Bleeckere to instruct any player to leave the field if they contravene rules regarding their kit. With all 90,000 tickets sold for England’s most prestigious home friendly in recent memory, the FA feels it cannot risk De Bleeckere refusing to start the game.

Instead, plans are being made to make a series of other tributes and gestures for Remembrance Sunday. The players will have poppies on their training kits in the build-up to the match and they intend to have poppies on their outer tracksuit jackets, which will be worn during the national anthem on Saturday.

There will also be a pre-match period of silence, with the players intending to wear black armbands over their shirts during the game as a further mark of respect.

The Welsh and Scottish FA will make similar gestures before their respective matches. The Wales players will warm-up in T-shirts with poppies before facing Norway on Saturday, while Scotland will wear tracksuit jackets with poppies for the national anthems ahead of Friday’s match against Cyprus.

Fifa defended its position yesterday in a letter to the FA, which said: “We regret to inform you that accepting such initiatives would open the door to similar initiatives from all over the world, jeopardising the neutrality of football. Therefore, we confirm that the suggested embroidery on the match shirt cannot be authorised.”

The relevant Fifa statute says that, “the basic compulsory equipment must not have political, religious or personal statements”. Privately, Fifa accepts that the poppy is non-political and inoffensive. Its argument, however, is that it must oversee the rules for all 208 member countries and that allowing England to wear poppies would set a precedent.

Fifa would then fear getting drawn into judgments regarding whether other countries can commemorate those who served in conflicts or wars with symbols that could be considered more provocative or controversial. Fifa believes that would be inappropriate. It also hoped that a compromise had been reached with the FA by allowing the pre-match period of silence.

The FA regards its latest letter, written by chief executive Alex Horne, as its final representation and it is now minded to accept Fifa’s position.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson, however, did write to Fifa on Tuesday and is ready to support the FA if it wishes to take the matter further.

Robertson is adamant that wearing poppies would not break Fifa rules. “I very much hope that having had a letter from me, as the sports minister of this country, that Fifa will reconsider this decision because I simply believe they have got this wrong,” he said. “Wearing a poppy is not commercial, not political and not religious. If the FA wishes to take this further, it will have my full support.

“It is a national act of remembrance. I saw active service in Northern Ireland, during the Gulf War and Bosnia. I know how important Remembrance Sunday is to servicemen and women, to their families and to those connected to the services and indeed to the wider country.”

Fifa is aware that Robertson has sent a letter but, according to sources, there is no prospect of a change of position.

Myanmar appeal partially upheld

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:27:00 +0000

Fifa[Wednesday, November 09, 2011]

The FIFA Appeal Committee on 4 November 2011, under the Chairmanship of Mr Francisco Acosta (Ecuador) met at the Home of FIFA to discuss, among others, the case of the Myanmar Football Federation.

The FIFA Appeal Committee decided that the appeal lodged by the Myanmar Football Federation be partially upheld.

The exclusion of the Myanmar Football Federation from taking part in the matches of the preliminary competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ was annulled, and the Myanmar Football Federation will therefore be reintegrated into the preliminary competition.

The Myanmar Football Federation will now be required to play all their home matches in the preliminary competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ on neutral ground in another country.

The fine of CHF 25,000 ordered by The FIFA Disciplinary Committee to be paid by the Myanmar Football Federation was upheld.

The Myanmar Football Federation were also informed that should they be liable for further breaches of Article 65 and 67 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the case will be referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for consideration, decision, and possible further sanctions (e.g. Article 28 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code).

Zabaleta: I model myself on Zanetti

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:03:00 +0000

Fifa [Wednesday, November 09, 2011]

Change has been a constant in Argentina over the last 17 years, a period of considerable political, social and economic flux that has seen the country’s presidency change on eight occasions and countless currency fluctuations. One thing that Argentinians could bank on in all that time, however, was the ultra-dependable Javier Zanetti. Between 1994 and 2011, give or take the odd absence, El Pupi manned the right-back slot with distinction for La Albiceleste before finally calling it a day on home soil at this year’s Copa America.

Fortunately for Argentina, they have a ready-made successor to Zanetti in the shape of Pablo Zabaleta. A proven performer who has been waiting patiently in the wings since skippering the side that triumphed at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 and then winning the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in 2008, Zabaleta is now filling his esteemed predecessor’s shoes with aplomb.

“Up to now, I’ve had the odd game under different managers but never an extended run in the side,” the Manchester City man told FIFA.com. “Luckily, since [Alejandro] Sabella took over I’ve been playing more regularly, which I’m delighted about.”

Zabaleta started both of Argentina’s first two preliminary matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ - as many qualifiers as he played in the last six years, during which time Jose Pekerman, Alfio Basile, Diego Maradona and Sergio Batista all came and went in the dugout. Yet, despite being kept out of the reckoning by the indestructible Zanetti for so long, the man charged with maintaining the standard he set is not thinking about what might have been.

Zabaleta said: “Zanetti was in the national side for a long, long time and he defined an era. I’ve always modelled myself on him and he’s a real example. To be taking his place is wonderful but a huge responsibility too, and my aim is to stay there for the next few years and make the place my own.”

The 26-year-old has the pedigree to do just that. An outstanding performer for his country at youth level, his made his first appearance on the global stage alongside Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2001, where he scored a superb goal against a Spain side featuring Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres. He then appeared at two FIFA U-20 World Cups, captaining a team containing Lionel Messi to victory at the second of them, Netherlands 2005, where he struck a dramatic late semi-final winner against Brazil.
Zanetti was in the national side for a long, long time and he defined an era. To be taking his place is wonderful but a huge responsibility too.
Pablo Zabaleta

Nevertheless, making the step up to senior team, where the likes of Roberto Ayala, Juan Pablo Sorin and Zanetti manned the rearguard, was always going to be a difficult task requiring both persistence and patience.

“It’s probably true to say that defence is the area where we have the least number of options,” explained the quietly-spoken Zabaleta, who started out with San Lorenzo and made his way to Manchester via Espanyol. “That said, we’re always going to suffer in comparison to the tremendous potential we have up front, and the most important thing is that we build a solid defensive unit, regardless of who the players are. And the only way you can do that is by applying yourself.”

Tough tests expected on the road to Brazil
The Argentinians can expect plenty of hard work in their upcoming Brazil 2014 qualifiers against Bolivia and Colombia, two sides who both forced draws against them at the recent Copa America.

“They’re going to be two totally different games,” Zabaleta remarked. “Both sides keep their shape, though the Colombians have more quality up front. They’ll be anything but easy matches for us, that’s for sure.”

Though still to score for his country at senior level, Zabaleta insists he is not losing any sleep over it: “I can honestly say that’s not something I’m getting worked up about. My job as a fullback is to keep things tight at the back, and in my case providing an assist is just as, if not more important, than getting a goal.”

Shaken by a 1-0 defeat in Venezuela in their last qualifying outing, Zabaleta is nonetheless confident the fans will be out in force when the Bolivians visit the Estadio Monumental on Friday: “We need them to get behind the team. That’s what counts. It’ll be up to us then to get them going and to excite them, but I hope they’re looking forward to it because we’re working hard and giving our all.”

Two positive results in the next few days will inch Sabella’s side closer to their goal of a place at Brazil 2014, though the guarded Zabaleta is reluctant to think that far ahead: “There’s a long way to go, and you never know what might happen. All we can do for now is focus on these two games. As for the rest, time will tell.”

Ramsgate FC plea to stay away fans

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:57:00 +0000

Fifacup[Wednesday January 05,2011]
Ramsgate Football Club’s vice-chairman, Paul Jefcoate has urged fans to come out and support the club after a drop in attendances this season.

Attendances at Southwood have regularly dropped below 150 this season and the Rams have struggled throughout the campaign to find any sort of consistency on their own patch.

Jefcoate praised the club’s loyal followers, but insisted more was needed, both on and off the pitch, if the Rams were to have any chance on sneaking into the play-offs this term.

He said: "We’ve had a very good core support through thick and thin and over the last few years, even when we’ve been heading in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, the support we attracted when things were successful has rapidly dissipated, so where are they now?

"We’ve got to see more consistency from the team this year because that’ll drag more people through the gate, which is what we’re sadly lacking. We can’t go and press-gang them into coming along so we’ve got to provide entertainment. If people don’t think they’re going to see something they’ll enjoy, why should they pay for it?"

Ramsgate face two away trips in the next week as they head to Chipstead and Dulwich Hamlet, looking to record back-to-back away wins for the first time this season.

"We’ve been thoroughly inconsistent, producing some quite surprising results," Jefcoate said. "We had two very good draws against Leatherhead and Met Police then we’ve been losing games like the one at Whitstable.

"We certainly can’t drop below the level we’re currently at. Richard [Lawson, chairman] is not prepared to dig so deep in his pockets, it’s something we all agreed with, so we’ve got to build things a bit more slowly."

Northampton Town FC chairman gives 'cautious welcome' to council motion

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:54:00 +0000

Cinemimi[Wednesday January 05,2011]
Northampton Town Chairman David Cardoza has given a 'cautious welcome' to the motion passed by Northampton Borough Council on Monday night.

Conservative group leader Councillor David Palethorpe had proposed a motion to the Council that recognised 'the importance and value of Northampton Saints and Northampton Town Football Club to the sporting, cultural and economic wellbeing of our town' and instructing 'the Leader and Deputy Leader to write to the Homes and Communities Agency, Northampton Saints and Northampton Town Football Club informing them that Northampton Borough Council has no underlying objections to, and would support any planning applications (subject to the normal planning process), that will help to ensure the continuing development and success of the clubs'.

The motion received the full backing of the Conservative, Labour and Independent groups, and with the Liberal Democrats either voting against, abstaining or excusing themselves from the vote the motion was passed with a healthy majority.

"We have been looking to proceed with our re-development for a number of years so we give a cautious welcome to the news," said the Cobblers Chairman.

"Our welcome is only cautious, because we have been here and seen this before. However this motion does give us renewed hope and optimism that the Borough Council can see sense and that we can work in partnership to fulfil our ambitions on behalf of the club, the community and the town.

"What we need now is action and co-operation as well as supportive words, but we look forward to working with the Borough Council and our re-development partners to see what can be achieved.

"It is a small but welcome step forward on a long road, and we hope it will mark an important change in the policy of the Council.

"It is clear that the people of Northampton want to see the sports clubs supported and flourish. The Northampton community want their elected councillors to support the Saints and the Cobblers and we hope this will be the start of a period of action rather than the years of inaction we have endured while other towns and cities, including nearby Milton Keynes, have shown what can be achieved."

The club will issue a more comprehensive response in due course.

New funding criteria announced for football stadia improvement work

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 03:02:00 +0000

Fifacup[wednesday January 05,2011]
The Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) has announced new funding criteria for stadia improvement projects.

With an annual budget of £5m, provided by the Premier League, the new deal ensures that the FSIF can continue to offer grants to professional and amateur football clubs in the Football League and National League System (NLS) towards stadia improvement, such as building new stands, floodlights, pitches and CCTV.

All applications will be judged on financial need and available budget. Grants will be limited to 50% of eligible costs and the following upper limits will be applied:

·Football League Clubs: £750,000

·NLS Step 1: £400,000

·NLS Step 2 to 4: £150,000

·NLS Step 5 and 6: £100,000

·NLS Step 7 and below: £20,000, but up to £50,000 for applications including changing rooms.

In addition, a total of £200,000 of the FSIF annual budget will be ring-fenced each year to support the two clubs promoted from the Football Conference to the Football League to cover the costs of required safety installations, such as computerised turnstiles, CCTV, stadium control rooms, etc.

Women’s pyramid clubs are eligible for funding. The default level will be set at NLS Step 4 for clubs in the Women’s Super league, but as with all applications to the FSIF, applications will be judged on value for money and available budget.

Demand for these funds is expected to be high, and the FSIF will suspend the fund each year, once the annual budget has been exhausted.

Full eligibility criteria for all the above grant schemes can be found on the Football Foundation’s website www.footballfoundation.org.uk. Expressions of interest in applying for funding should also be made via the Foundation’s website.

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the FSIF, said:“Supporters are the lifeblood of our national game. They generate the atmosphere, they bring colour to matches and they help fund their club’s existence.

“I am therefore delighted that the Premier League is securing the FSIF’s future. This means that vital funding towards stadia improvement will continue to help ensure that football fans and players across the country, and at all levels, enjoy their matches in comfort and safety.”

Richard Scudamore, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said: “The Premier League has funded the FSIF since it was launched in 2000. In that time it has provided crucial financial assistance for clubs throughout the football pyramid to improve their stadia.

“It has always been important to us that clubs and their fans at all levels of the game continue to benefit from Premier League funding. This new deal ensures that going forward.”

Aberdeen chairman outlines plans for new stadium move

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:59:00 +0000

Fifacup[Wednesday January 05,2011]
Aberdeen Football Club’s chairman Stuart Milne has revealed that the club has no option but to move to a new stadium

Speaking at the club’s AGM the topic of moving to the proposed 21,000-seat stadium at Loriston Loch was top of the agenda.

"We don’t have the option of doing nothing,'' Milne said.

Aberdeen’s current ground and home for more than a century The Pittodrie Stadium is in need of major repair at a cost that would far outweigh any benefits; “This stadium has a limited life and every year we stay here it costs us a lot of money. That’s just going to continue to increase. At some point we have got to make the move.

"If we don't move we won't have a viable club, it's as simple as that."

The Chairman also revealed he was hopeful that the Dons would have moved into their new home in time for the 2013/14 season.

"We hope to get planning consent from the council in February. It will then be called in by the Scottish Office and we would hope for a decision before the break-up of parliament next year, around April.

"We then will go on to the contractor work and the aim would be to have all the funding in place by the first quarter of 2012 with a view to starting the project in the second part of 2012 to have the stadium ready to play in for season 2013-14.

"The estimated cost of the stadium is around £35million and the main funding areas are the sale of Pittodrie, a share issue and a long-term mortgage on the new stadium. We would see that raising £20 million.

“There are other areas, naming right, rental, development money from the other areas and some other things we are working on in the background. Between all of them we can I would hope bring in a further £15million.

"The soccer academy will be £4million and we are looking at alternative ways of raising that money and, by the middle of 2011, we hope to be able to say we can fund that. I can assure no one is under-estimating the scale of the challenge of putting this together and securing the funding for it, especially in the economic conditions prevailing and likely to be prevailing for the next few years.

"That is the challenge we have got. We have to square up to it and there is no option of sitting back and doing nothing."

Newcastle firm in running to build WC 2014 stadiums

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:55:00 +0000

FifaCup[Wednesday january 05,2011]
A North East firm has put together a consortium which is in the running to build several new football stadiums in Brazil ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

Newcastle-based A World of Golf (AWG) has brought together a group of heavyweight businesses from the sports consultancy and construction sectors to bid for a share of 11 contracts for new build stadiums across Brazil.

AWG, which is primarily involved in designing and managing the construction of golf courses and resorts around the world, is hopeful of winning up to five of the contracts.

A decision on the contracts will be made by Brazilian state authorities - in partnership with football’s governing body FIFA - by the end of this year.

If successful, AWG will work alongside global construction firms Davis Langdon and Waterman Group, sports turf specialist SIS and Top Green – a French firm which develops grass suitable for various sports.

Brazil will host the World Cup for the second time in the tournament’s history in 2014 and the country’s authorities are keen to upgrade the stadiums and surrounding infrastructure in the host cities.

AWG will draw on its expertise of managing the development of large-scale golf courses and related facilities such as hotels, access roads and entertainment venues.

Fifa 2014 Brazil Venues, Stadiums, and Plan

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:26:00 +0000

AFC Asian Cup Qatar Available Live in 65 Million US TV Households

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:15:00 +0000

Fifacup[Wednesday January 05,2011]
AFC Asian Cup Qatar Available Live in 65 Million US TV Households
The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 will be available to more than 65 million U.S. TV households as a result of distribution agreements executed by One World Sports with leading cable and satellite groups in the United States.

The games will be distributed live and delayed in English and in High Definition.

One World Sports is a unit of One Media Corp, Inc. One World Sports acquired the rights to broadcast the event through Singapore-based World Sport Group, the AFC’s exclusive marketing and media partner.

The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 is Asia’s premier football tournament and brings together the top 16 national teams from across that continent. It is held once every four years, and is the first major international competition pitting nation against nation since the FIFA World Cup 2010 last summer in South Africa.

Iraq, the defending champion, will be joined by Japan, China, Iran, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, a quintet that historically fields the strongest teams. The 2011 event will also include Australia, India and North Korea, in addition to Gulf Region teams from hosts Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

“The response from the leading cable and satellite providers has been overwhelming,” said Preston Bornman, Chief Operating Officer of One World Sports. “They see the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 as a natural extension of the success they had with last summer’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa, which saw a dramatic rise in viewership.”

Matches can be purchased by consumers on a per-game basis via Pay-Per-View. One World Sports has licensed the full event to iN DEMAND (www.indemand.com), which will distribute the tournament to Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Bright House Networks, Cablevision, Charter, Mediacom and many other U.S. affiliates; DISH Network (www.DISHNetwork.com); and Avail/TVN (www.Avail-TVN.com), which includes AT&T and Verizon FiOS among its affiliates.

Broadband coverage will be available live via One World Sports Broadband, which can be found at www.OneWorldSports.tv. Mobile video coverage will be available on Verizon Wireless V CAST Video at www.VerizonWireless.com.

“Asia has become increasingly important to the United States economically and culturally. One of the best ways to gain insights on different parts of the world is through sport, and the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 comes at a time of heightened interest in the region,” Bornman said.

“World Sport Group is delighted to have One World Sports as our Broadcast Partner for North America and we are also very excited at the prospect of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 being seen in up to 65 million households there,” said James Clarke, Senior Vice President – Content, World Sport Group.

“There is huge interest in the event among the Asian communities in North America, particularly among Iranians, Japanese, Koreans and Chinese. For the first time, we have a nation-wide broadcast platform that can serve our North American fans,” Clarke said.

The 32 game tournament begins Jan. 7 and concludes on Jan. 29, 2011. There are 24 matches during the Group Stages, followed by four knock-out games between the four group winners and second-place finishers. Two semi-final matches will be held Jan. 25. The third-place match will be held on Jan. 28, followed by the final on Jan. 29.
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According to the FIFA Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:06:00 +0000

Fifacup[wednesday january,05 2011]
According to the FIFA Calendar, the preliminary draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held on July 30, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That will be barely a year after World Cup South Africa 2010. In order to permit the confederations to begin their qualifying competitions in good time, the Executive Committee decided to endorse the change of date for the preliminary draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which will be held six months prior than in the past.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will feature 32 teams. One place has been allocated to the hosts, Brazil. The remaining 31 places will be determined by a qualification process, in which entrants from among the other 207 teams from the six FIFA confederations will compete. In the past, most qualification has been determined within these confederations, with a limited number of inter-confederation play-offs occurring at the end of the process.

FIFA awarded tax-free in Brazil to organize 2014 World Cup that establishes a series of exemptions from fed

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:56:00 +0000

BRASILIA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian government published on Tuesday in the official Gazette a law that establishes a series of exemptions from federal taxes for the FIFA to organize the 2014 World Cup and the Confederations Cup in 2013.

The exemption enters into force on Jan. 1, 2011, and is one FIFA's requirements to hold the World Cup in the country.

According to the law, for the preparation of the event, FIFA does not need to collect taxes on imported goods (IPI), the contribution to Social Security Financing (Cofins) on imported goods and services, and the Contribution to the Programs for Social Integration and Heritage Formation of the Public Servant ( PIS-Pasep) on imports.

However, the exemption for equipment and construction of the stadia to be used for training the teams in the World Cup's 12 host cities was not authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Finance.

The ministry said the exemption would allow "undue expansion of tax incentives to stadia with the purpose to offer support, whose characteristics deviate from the aims and the reasons justifying the granting of benefits."

According to Brazil's Ministry of Sports, the country gains with the Cup will be greater than the tax exemption granted to FIFA.

The Ministry states that the collection of taxes due to the economic movement generated by the event will amount to about 9.5 billion dollars, while the exemption is estimated at about 600 million dollars.

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:13:00 +0000

World Cup highlights SA football year

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 02:54:00 +0000

fifacup2014bzil[Tuesday December 28,2010]
World Cup highlights SA football year
2010 was an outstanding year for South African football – and sport in general – but picking out the highlight is easy. It doesn't belong to any individual sportsman or woman or team, but to the country as a whole for the hugely successful hosting of the Fifa World Cup, played in Africa for the first time.

Fifa President Sepp Blatter declared the event "near perfect", and gave it a rating of nine out of 10.

Contrary to the stories of some doom mongers ahead of the playing of football's showcase event, the World Cup proved to be a massive success and, as the tournament progressed, South Africa and South Africans changed the perceptions of people from afar, leading to many football fans making a late move to join in the festive atmosphere of the tournament.

Stadiums
One thing that truly stood out about the World Cup was the world class standard of the stadiums, which surpassed any World Cup previously.

Johannesburg's FNB Stadium, known as Soccer City during the event, displayed the iconic African image of a calabash, while Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium dominated the city's beautiful beachfront skyline with its stunning arch, and the Cape Town Stadium impressed with its warm intimacy.

It was not just about those three stadiums, however, it was about all of them and another reason they shone was because of the fantastic support of local fans alongside the traveling hordes of overseas supporters.

There had been fears about the level of support that South Africans would give the event, but those worries proved unfounded as the nation took the World Cup to heart and the South African flag flew proudly throughout the event, buoyed by the very successful "Football Fridays" campaign.

Vuvuzela
And lest anyone forget, the World Cup introduced a new word to the English language: vuvuzela. The droning plastic trumpets became the sound of the World Cup, loved by some, hated by others.

Spain were crowned worthy champions after beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final. No team could live with the Spaniards' splendid passing game and they dominated every match they played, even though they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Switzerland in the group stages.

They recorded four straight clean sheets in the knockout stages, winning four matches by 1-0 margins, against Portugal, Paraguay, Germany, and the Netherlands. Frankly, the scores don't do Spain justice. They were far more dominant than that.

Bafana Bafana's success
The success of Bafana Bafana, after a poor 2009, played an integral role in securing the support of South Africans at the World Cup, and it carried over after the event as football enjoyed bigger crowds and a greater media spotlight.

Bafana Bafana played under Carlos Alberto Parreira at the World Cup, with the Brazilian coaching for a record sixth time in finals. After the completion of the World Cup, he stepped down and his place was taken by Pitso Mosimane, previously one of Parreira's assistants.

When Mosimane took over there was no let up as South Africa continued the good results achieved under Parreira and they finished 2010 leading their qualifying group for the African Cup of Nations 2012.

World ranking
As late as April, however, South Africa was ranked 90th in the Fifa World Rankings. By the end of the year Bafana Bafana had jumped 40 places to 50th, a position the team had last held in February 2006.

The team's overall record in 2010 was nine wins, six draws and two losses. For the first time in a while, Bafana recorded victories over teams ranked higher than them with some regularity. The results include defeats of France, Denmark, Colombia, and Ghana.

Siphiwe Tshabalala underlined the ability and quality of the national team in South Africa's World Cup opening match against Mexico at Soccer City when he scored with a stunning left-footed rocket. That goal has since been named one of Fifa's 10 Best Goals of the Year.

In November, Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena became only the second South African to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London after former President Nelson Mandela.

The award was in recognition of his achievements as a footballer, a leader, and the work done by the Aaron Mokoena Foundation, which works to identify and offer training, coaching and mentoring to talented young players at school level.

Banyana Banyana
The national women's team, Banyana Banyana, had an opportunity to shine at home when South Africa hosted the CAF African Women's Championship in November.

A loss to defending champions Equatorial Guinea in the semi-finals left Banyana facing Cameroon in a playoff for third and fourth and a 2-0 win secured third place. Nigeria beat Equatorial Guinea 4-2 to be crowned African champions.

Premier Soccer League
On the domestic front, SuperSport United claimed their third Premier Soccer League (PSL) title in succession under coach Gavin Hunt. It was a real feather in Hunt's cap as his squad has lost top players each year to other clubs.

SuperSport United defender Morgan Gould was named the PSL Player of the Year, while Daine Klate won the Absa Premiership Player of the Season award. He subsequently moved to Orlando Pirates. The Absa Premiership Players Player of the Season went the way of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana striker Katlego Mphela.

Champions twice in one year!
Due to scheduling changes because of the World Cup, Kaizer Chiefs were able to win the Telkom Knockout Cup twice in the same year! The final of the 2009 competition took place in April, with the Amakhosi defeating Ajax Cape Town 2-1 in Durban. Then, in December, they won the 2010 competition with a 3-0 hammering of their great rivals, Orlando Pirates.

In addition, Chiefs won the invitational Telkom Charity Cup in August, beating Pirates 4-3 from the penalty spot in the final after the teams had played to a 1-1 draw.

Pirates tasted success in October when they lifted the MTN8 title after defeating Moroka Swallows in a penalty shootout in the final. The teams had been level at 1-1 after regulation time. The Buccaneers then triumphed 4-2 from the spot.

BidVest Wits officially open Soccer City on 22 May with a classy 3-0 victory over Amazulu in the final of the Nedbank Cup. The match drew 72 000 fans, which showed that the rebuilt stadium would be a popular drawcard.

AFC chief supports moving 2022 World Cup to January

noreply@blogger.com (pranavikha) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 02:46:00 +0000

fifacup2014bzil[Tuesday December 28,2010]
AFC chief supports moving 2022 World Cup to January
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam backed the idea of moving the 2022 Fifa World Cup to be held in Qatar to January or February but said it was premature to discuss about it being co-hosted by other countries in the region.

“As a Qatari citizen I can assure you that our country is ready and willing to host a very comfortable World Cup in the summer season. We have presented solutions to heat challenges during June-July,” said Bin Hammam addressing concerns in several quarters after Qatar became the first Middle East country to be awarded the World Cup.

However, the Asian football chief did not entertain the idea of Fifa president Joseph Sepp Blatter that some matches could be staged in neighbouring countries such as UAE.

“It is absolutely the right of the hosting association if they want to share this success or competition with the others,”.Bin Hammam told reporters on the sidelines of the Dubai International Sports Conference held at The Address Hotel on Tuesday.

“I think it is actually premature. They (Fifa) should discuss with the executive committee who will be in place in 2018 may be if they want to do anything. I believe it is not the right time to speak about these things by Mr Blatter,” he said.

It was the first time any official from Qatar had talked about the subject of co-hosting the 2022 event since Blatter had stated during the Fifa Club World Cup held in Abu Dhabi that Qatar could invite other regional countries to stage some matches in a show of solidarity.

Top officials of the UAE Football Association told Emirates 247 earlier that they were willing and ready to do so but the invitation had to come from Qatar.

Nevertheless, Bin Hammam was willing to discuss the possibility of shifting the World Cup to the cooler months, an idea first mooted by Franz Beckenbauer and also supported by Blatter.

“I believe it is more a desire by national associations outside Asia, our region. Organising the World Cup in the middle of the season like January is a solution actually because players are going to be fit to play and entertain their fans,” he said pointing out that at the end of the season players are really exhausted after a long season after playing more than 60-70 games a year in the top leagues.

“So this is actually a requirement not by us but for the welfare of the players. Secondly January is also sort of dead season with most of leagues in Europe not playing with one or two exceptions. So it is not going to affect the leagues or clubs if they play World Cup in January,” he said.

“I presume that if the competition will be maintained in June-July it is going to be perfectly organised by the hosts. If it moves to January, I believe there will be sort of win win situation for all the parties,” said the AFC chief who outlined the Vision Asia projects during the conference.

England manager Fabio Capello weighing into the debate said it was impossible to play the World Cup in Qatar and called for it to moved to January or February.

“It is not easy for players to stay around in Qatar. This is a big problem not only for the training. When you play together for a long time you need to relax and do something different,” he said.

But he admitted it would be not easy to find a date other than during June-July.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell congratulated Fifa for awarding it to Qatar and felt that new technology could resolve the problem of heat.

“Firstly I congratulate Middle East to have a World Cup. We consider that football is a global activity,” he said.
“In Spain during 1982 World Cup, I remember it was 40 degrees and nobody complained. In 2022 new technology will be there and stadiums will be air-conditioned,” said Rosell.

But he was against the event being moved to January or February. “I don’t like to break Spanish League because it is one of the leagues in Europe which has continuity in January,” he said.

AC Milan Executive Manager Umberto Gandini also lauded the Qatar World Cup 2022 decision by Fifa. “We are confident everything will be in order for a fantastic World Cup,” he said although aware of the concerns expressed by people like Capello.

“I understand the worries that everybody in the world of football such as players, coaches have about what it is going to be in June 2022 in Qatar. “Obviously we don’t know. For the time being we are very happy to say that the 2022 World Cup will be in Qatar in June-July and this is a fact,” said Gandini who addressed the club versus country in relation to the international calendar and player insurance along with Capello and Rosell.