Rainforests in focus as Brazil votes on World Cup law
By David Gold
March 28 – Rainforests will come under the microscope today with Brazil due to vote on World Cup law once again.
World Cup
World Cup law will soon be passed, insists Brazilian Sports Minister
By David Gold
March 26 – Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo (pictured) has said that the 2014 World Cup law will be approved, and indicated that it would be done at some point in April.
Brazil 2014 World Cup law faces further stumbling blocks
By David Gold
March 21 – The Brazilian Government has taken another step towards passing the 2014 World Cup bill after meeting with the opposition in the country’s Congress, though it still faces hurdles before it becomes law.
Russia 2018 host cities to be announced by FIFA in September
By David Gold
March 20 – FIFA will make a decision on which cities will host matches at the Russia 2018 World Cup this September, it was confirmed today.
Russia 2018 officials play down racism issue despite another banana throwing incident
By Andrew Warshaw
March 20 – Russia 2018 were forced into revisiting the issue of racism today but continued to deny it was a serious problem despite yet another widely reported incident.
FIFA’s Jérôme Valcke resumes Brazil 2014 role after Bagshot blunder
By Andrew Warshaw
March 20 – FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke (pictured) has been given a crucial lifeline after being cleared to carry on running the organisation’s 2014 World Cup programme.
Former England 2018 marketing director joins the Co-op
By Duncan Mackay
March 20 – David Magliano, the marketing director of England’s disastrous bid to host the 2018 World Cup, has joined the Co-operative Group as its new brand director, it has been announced.
Brazil 2014 won’t be the greatest and we’ll be embarrassed, says Romário
By Andrew Warshaw
March 19 – Romário (pictured), the former Brazilian striker turned Congressman, has once again criticised 2014 World Cup preparations, suggesting his country will be “embarrassed” by poor organisation.
Blatter’s meeting with Brazilian President heals Valcke comments rift
By Andrew Warshaw
March 16 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured left) emerged from his 2014 World Cup summit meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (right) today pledging to work more closely together to keep preparations for the tournament on track.
Pelé to attend reconciliation meeting with FIFA’s Blatter and Brazilian President Rousseff
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – In a clever diplomatic move, Pelé (pictured), Brazil’s greatest ever footballing icon, will attend Friday’s clear-the-air talks between FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff following the recent row over the 2014 World Cup preparations.
Alcohol must be available at Qatar 2022 World Cup to avoid boycotts, warns Premier League chairman
By Tom Degun at the International Sport Security Conference in Doha
March 14 – Alcohol must be made widely available to fans during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar or they will end up boycotting the event, English Premier League chairman Sir David Richards has warned here today.
FIFA boss Blatter and Brazilian President Rousseff hold meeting to patch things up
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – Sepp Blatter (pictured left) will meet Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (right) on Friday (March 16) for clear-the-air talks following the recent spat over 2014 World Cup preparations.
British events businesses head to Russia to seek 2018 World Cup opportunities
By David Gold
March 14 – A delegation of British businesses with specialist knowledge of planning major sporting events have met with Russia 2018 in Moscow to learn about the commercial opportunities of the World Cup.
Teixeira’s resignation overshadows Brazil 2014 in yet more controversy
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – Ricardo Teixeira’s (pictured) decision to throw in the towel as head of Brazil 2014 may have come as little surprise but it nevertheless heaps even more negative publicity on a tournament that continues to lurch from one crisis to another.
Under fire Teixeira quits as head of Brazilian football
By David Gold
March 12 – Ricardo Teixeira has resigned as head of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the Organising Committee of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, bringing to an end a controversial 23-year reign.