In a letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, 13 U.S. senators have asked that FIFA pull the 2018 World Cup from Russia because of the country’s “ongoingviolations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.” The senators included Arizona Republican John McCain, the powerful chairman of theSenate Committee on Armed Services and former presidential candidate, and Illinois […]
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FIFA's Politicized Apolitical Stance on Russia's World Cup
On Wednesday, the AP reported that Arizona Republican John McCain and 12 other U.S.Senators asked FIFA to pull the 2018 World Cup from Russia due to its military intervention in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. The group told FIFA President Sepp Blatter in a letter that lettingRussia host the event “inappropriately bolsters the prestige” of President […]
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UEFA Charges Montenegro, Russia for Abandoned Qualifier
UEFA on Monday charged Montenegro after missiles were thrown at Russian players during its Euro 2016 qualifier in Podgorica on Friday, which was eventually abandoned. The Montenegrosoccer association was charged with holding a match that was not completed, and for fans throwing fireworks and missiles. The Russian soccer union was also charged for its supporters throwingfireworks and […]
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Who's to Blame for Brazil's White Elephants?
Though its national soccer teamseems to have recovered from the humiliating exit suffered last summer from its own World Cup, Brazil has seen its GDP growth all but slow to a standstill in the past year. And by several accounts, the world’s seventh-largesteconomy looks to be headed back into recession in 2015. Since politics and […]
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Wolfsburg-Napoli Highlights Europa League Draw
Germany’s hottest non-Bayern Munich team, No. 2 Wolfsburg, squares off against Napoli, currently No. 4 in Italy’s Serie A, in the headlining matchup from the Europa League draw. Theother quarterfinal series are: Sevilla-Zenit St. Petersburg, Dnipro-Club Brugge, and Dynamo Kiev-Fiorentina. Games will be played April 16 and 23.
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Capello Not Paid in Six Months
The Russian soccer federation (RFU) says it is close to paying national team coach Fabio Capello for the first time in six months. Hit by financial problems, including a rapidly fallingruble, the RFU has been unable to meet the Italian’s reported $11 million salary, but could now receive his first payment as soon as Wednesday. […]
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Robbie Rogers: FIFA 'Insane' to Host World Cup in Russia, Qatar
LA Galaxy left back Robbie Rogers has spoken out about FIFA’s decision to stage the next two World Cups 2018 in countries that are hostile to homosexuality. Rogers, the most high-profileprofessional soccer player to come out as being gay, appeared on Sky Sports News on Thursday to promote his autobiography Coming Out to Play, and […]
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FIFA to Publish World Cup Corruption Report
FIFA’s executive committee on Friday agreed unanimously to publish Michael Garcia’s report into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups — at least to the extent that is legallypossible. The officials agreed to the proposal without a vote being taken, but nothing will be published until the ethics committee charges against three […]
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FIFA Dismisses Garcia Appeal
FIFA on Tuesday dismissed prosecutor Michael Garcia’s claim that the 42-page summary of his 430-page report about the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding processes — which effectivelycleared hosts Russia and Qatar of serious wrongdoing — published by judge Hans Joachim-Eckert last month contained “numerous materially incompleteand erroneous representations” of his work. In denying Garcia’s appeal, the […]
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Man City, Bayern Fans Persist with UEFA Protest
PA Sport reports that Manchester City and Bayern Munich will continue their “Respect … Fans” protest campaign against UEFA when City hosts the German giant in theChampions League (UCL) on Tuesday. City, Bayern and AS Roma all protested against UEFA’s decision to punish Group E rival CSKA Moscow with stadium closures during the competition’s lastround […]