Russia’s 2-1 loss to Qatar in a battle of the next two World Cup hosts was a morale-shattering defeat. It followed a dismal European Championship in France and has touched off one of the biggestsoccer crises in the country since the breakup of the Soviet Union.
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Hassan Al-Thawadi
“There will be no alcohol consumption on the streets, squares and public places and that is final. We are against the provision of alcohol in stadiums and their surroundings.” — Hassan Al-Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, saying consumption of alcohol at the 2022 World Cup will be limited to […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Qatar 2022's Hassan Al-Thawadi
“Blatter wanted the U.S. to win. It’s just fascinating that nobody is raising any concerns about that and looking into that one to start off with. But fair enough. I guess we will take the flakagain.” — Hassan Al-Thawadi, secretary general of the Qatar 2022 organizing committee, saying there was a double standard about criticism […]
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Infantino: FIFA will monitor Qatar 2022 stadium working conditions
In a move to ease fears of human rights abuses in World Cup 2022 host Qatar, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said an independent committee will be set up to monitor working conditions at venuesunder construction. Amnesty International, which has accused Qatar of using forced labor, termed them “steps in the right direction.”
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
FIFA's mea culpa (sort of) on Qatar labor rights
Federico Addiechi, FIFA’s head of corporate social responsibility, said soccer’s world governing body was slow to raise concerns about the treatment of migrant laborers on stadiums in World Cup2022 host Qatar, and tournament organizers should do more to improve working conditions. “When it comes to human rights policy … we started, in connection with Qatar […]
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Xavi would like to coach Barcelona
Former Barcelona great Xavi admits he dreams of one day coaching at the Nou Camp, following in the footsteps of former midfielders Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique by going intomanagement. “I have no doubts,” he said. “I want to stay in football, being close to the pitch. I would hate being stuck in an office. […]
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Report: Qatari group in MLS talks with Beckham
Miami Beckham United, the group formed by David Beckham to set up shop for his MLS team in South Florida, is in talks with Qatar Sports Investment, owner of Paris St. Germain, among many groupsinterested in partnering with Beckham, BBC Sport reported. Beckham played for PSG in 2013 at the end of his career, afterfinishing […]
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Will Platini join rogues gallery of disgraced confederation bosses?
Michel Platini, the former French great and current UEFA president, remains the favorite to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFApresident despite being accused of accepting a $2 million “disloyal payment” from Blatter in 2011 for work deemed to have been done from January 1999 to June 2002, though key European backers have started to express concerns […]
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
FIFA Confirms Winter World Cup in 2022
FIFA on Friday confirmed the long-rumored news that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be hosted in November, the first time the international tournament hasn’t taken place between May andJuly. The timeline for the tournament will also be slightly compressed, being played in 28 days. The 2014 tournament in Brazil was held over 32 […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Michel Platini
“A good FIFA is like a good referee, nobody speaks about it.” — UEFA president Michel Platini, the favorite to become the next FIFA president,saying FIFA’s image needed to restored and politics must be toned down in favor of soccer interests. (AP)