Latest in Tag: FIFA Highlight
Latest in Tag: FIFA
Qatari paid millions for World Cup bid support: report
FIFA is investigating the 2010 vote that awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar and the 2018 tournament to Russia, following previous corruption accusations.
Protest and human rights shape debate on awarding of mega events
By James M. Dorsey Mass protests against Brazil’s hosting of the World Cup, Turkey’s loss of opportunities to host sports events and controversy over 2022 World Cup host Qatar’s labour system are impacting the global sports world’s thinking about the requirements future hosts will have to meet. The impact is likely to go far beyond …
Lax FIFA policing of political interference in football focuses on Egypt
By James M. Dorsey World football body FIFA has dispatched investigators to Egypt to probe allegations of government interference as the country prepares for potentially risky bids to host two international tournaments, the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup and the 2018 FIFA Under-17 Womenâs World Cup. The FIFA investigation and the bids come against the …
Trade union call for a freeze on kafala puts Qatar to the test
By James M. Dorsey Qatarâs response to a call by international trade unions to freeze its controversial sponsorship system for foreign workers injured in a gas leak and separate gas explosion is likely to indicate the Gulf stateâs willingness to reform or abolish a scheme that critics denounce as a form of modern slavery and …
Egyptian autocrats struggle with footballâs political pros and cons
By James M. Dorsey An Egyptian government initiative to build more than a thousand new football pitches to âkeep youth off the streetsâ against the backdrop of a rising number of clashes between fans and security forces and a likely extension and expansion of the ban on spectators attending matches highlights the opportunities and threats …
Abu Trika Africaâs best player for the fourth time
The retired âEl Magicoâ competed with fellow Egyptian Ahmed Fathi and Nigerian Sunday Mba for the honourary prize; Al-Ahly chosen as best club
Qatar comments fall-out leaves FIFA under attack
World football’s ruling body came under withering fire following FIFA secretary general Valcke’s claim that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be played in winter
Gulf states draw sharpening criticism from trade unions and human rights groups
With major events and developments looming, conditions in the Gulf states will be illuminated under the international spotlight
Al-Ahly SC âwell preparedâ for fifth Club World Cup campaign
The Egyptian team defeats Maghreb Association Sportive de Fez 2-1 in a friendly match, leading up to the championship’s quarterfinal with Guangzhou Evergrande
Harsh Qatari labour conditions move centre stage as FIFA debates World Cup
By James M. Dorsey Controversy over conditions for unskilled and semi-skilled workers in Qatar involved in the construction of World Cup-related infrastructure as well as for flight attendants of Qatar Airways, the 2022 tournamentâs likely official carrier, has moved centre stage as world soccer body FIFA prepares to debate next week the Gulf stateâs hosting …
Decision to change date of Qatari World Cup risks political and legal rows
By James M. Dorsey A pending decision in early October by world football body FIFA on whether to move the Qatar 2022 World Cup from summer to winter threatens to open debate on whether to deprive the Gulf state of its right to host one of the worldâs two largest sporting events and could spark …
Egyptian players play key role in European wins
Egyptian national team players help their teams in vital wins during this week’s football
Qatar 2022 â A mixed blessing
By James M. Dorsey Winning the 2022 World Cup hosting rights has proven to be a mixed blessing for Qatar. The wealthy Gulf emirate, more than two years after world football body FIFA voted in Qatarâs favor, is under greater scrutiny than it ever has been and that it originally had bargained for. Qatarâs suitability …
Football: Al-Ahly seek new date, to accommodate Ramadan
The Cairo club must also find a new venue for the Group A match day two fixture after the military owners of the Air Defence Stadium in the capital city refused to stage it.
FIFA reaffirms its role as a pillar of established order
By James M Dorsey A recent visit by world football body FIFA president SeppBlatter to the Middle East spotlighted the groupâs role as a pillar of the existing political and football governance order under the guise of a fictional separation between sports and politics, rather than a force for greater transparency and accountability. To be …
UEFA decision on Gibraltar opens prospects for Kurds
By James M. Dorsey A decision by European football body UEFA granting Gibraltar the right of membership potentially opens the door to Kurdistan to seek association with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in a move that would acknowledge demands for increased autonomy and the possible shifting of national borders in the Middle East as a …
Pharaohs move up in FIFA world ranking
Egyptâs victory over Zimbabwe sees the Pharaohs move seven places in FIFA world rankings
FIFA must specify regions for World Cup bids: Richards
By Regan Doherty / Reuters DOHA: Soccer’s ruling body FIFA should specify regions where it would like to stage World Cups so that nations outside those locations do not waste money on losing bids, said English Premier League chairman Dave Richards. “I believe England didn’t understand the ground rules when we went in – and paid …