Super Romario to the Rescue!

Romario launches another FIFA attack

Brazilian congressman and former soccer star Romario has launched another attack against FIFA, calling president Sepp Blatter ''a thief'' and secretary general Jerome Valcke ''a blackmailer.''

The comments from the former Brazil striker came at congressional hearing promoted by a tourism and sports commission on Tuesday.

He continued his attack against Valcke with a post published on his website on Wednesday, saying the FIFA official isn't the ''best person to do business'' with Brazil ahead of the 2014 World Cup. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Fox Soccer.

Kicking Back Comments: Still waiting for FIFA to "officially" comment on this one.

Plenty of Qualifying Action

Belgium, Switzerland, Germany book Brazil spots

Belgium, Switzerland and Germany joined the Netherlands and Italy at next summer's FIFA World Cup but there is still plenty to be decided on the final day of qualifying.

Belgium, Switzerland and Germany booked FIFA World Cup berths with a game to spare but the automatic qualifying places in four of Europe's nine groups will go down to the wire.

The Netherlands and Italy became the first European teams to get to next summer's finals last month and victories on Friday for Belgium, Switzerland and Germany ensured they joined them. But there is still plenty to play for when qualification concludes on Tuesday, as four group winers and the eight best runners-up destined for the play-offs will be finalised. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of UEFA.com.

Kicking Back Comments: Belgium's berth is particularly welcome who has not been at a major international tournament since around 2002.

2014 is looking to be filled with some classic sides ... and I'm sure won't disappoint.

Not Going Away ...

Protests disrupt Fifa visit to Brazil World Cup venue

Protesters in Brazil have disrupted an official visit to a football stadium being built for next year's World Cup.

A group of some 50 people stormed the Arena Pantanal, in the western city of Cuiaba, as it was being inspected by the Secretary General of Fifa, Jerome Valcke.

They shouted slogans and held banners criticising the huge amounts spent in preparations for the World Cup.

The incident raises new concerns about security during the event.

"Go home!" and "World Cup for whom?" read some of the banners carried by protesters - most of them striking teachers and postal workers. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the BBC.

Kicking Back Comments: As I have opined in the recent past this issue is just not going away for FIFA. It will be very interesting to see how this continues to heat up and (IMHO) erupts in front of the world in July 2014.

And here they are ...

2014 US World Cup Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (6): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Jermaine Jones (Schalke), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

FORWARDS (5): Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)

You can see the full details here, courtesy of US Soccer.

7th Time A Charm?

United States clinches place in 2014 FIFA World Cup

Thanks to their 2-0 win over Mexico and Panama drawing against Honduras, the United States has become the first team from CONCACAF to clinch their place in the 2014 World Cup. ...

See the whole story here, from SB Nation.

Kicking Back Comments: I was actually at the Brazil v. Portugal match when I was watching USA v. Mexico ... it was kind of surreal. What a great result to be going back to the World Cup a 7th time!

There are a series of excellent articles out there about the stories history between these two soccer teams. One in particular is USA vs. Mexico: A history of 'Dos a Cero' also from SB Nation. A worthy read.

A tremendous result, and one well earned to go back to the World Cup, now for a 7th time.

Will lucky 7 be a charm for the US?

Blatter: We may regret picking Brazil

Blatter: World Cup in Brazil could be mistake

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Wednesday it may have been a mistake to choose Brazil to host next year's World Cup.

His comments follow nationwide unrest during last month's Confederations Cup in which hundreds of thousands of Brazilians expressed anger that public money was being spent on stadiums instead of vital services like health, transport and education.

Blatter said he planned to raise his concerns with Brazil president Dilma Rousseff in September. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Xinhuanet.

Kicking Back Comments: What is sadly hilarious are Sepp's comments. He is already laying blame at the feet of Brazil. Now I for one believe that there will be significant protests during the World Cup, and based on his comments, Sepp is going to lay it right at the feet of the Brazilian government.

He forgets to give the citizens some credit, as while yes, the Brazilian government bears some responsibility for inviting FIFA (and the IOC) into their homes, these organizations have some responsibility back to the citizens (not just their government) for allowing the privilege.

FIFA courts are going to have their hands full in 2014, and certainly well beyond any "ambush marketing."

I'm sorry ... who did you pick?

FIFA picks Boyce to lead World Cup ref selection

ZURICH -- FIFA has appointed Vice President Jim Boyce to chair its referees committee, which chooses match officials for World Cup duty in Brazil.

Northern Ireland official Boyce replaces another FIFA Vice President Angel Maria Villar, who oversaw training and selection of referees for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

FIFA is currently preparing 52 refereeing teams for the World Cup. It typically selects 30 for the tournament. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Miami Herald.

Kicking Back Comments: I almost immediately though of this hotel chain when reading this announcement:

Read mo
re here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/13/3559356/fifa-picks-boyce-to-lead-world.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/13/3559356/fifa-picks-boyce-to-lead-world.html#storylink=cpy

Now Mr. Boyce is certainly a seasoned sportsman based in his background when can be gleaned from this interview. No issues with him at EXComm as he certainly fits the bill by all accounts.

But like the above commercial for Holiday Inn Express, even if looking the part, does he have the technical expertise to choose World Cup Referees?

From all of his sporting history it would seem he is not educated in officiating at all, never mind at the very pinnacle of refereeing on the planet Earth.

Is this a good idea?

Now, he may have a technical staff appointed to him to actually make the decision for him, and he rubber stamps it, but if true, it would seem too great an opportunity for some collusion.

How many referees from Ireland are we going to see at the World Cup this year? In future years?

This is not to imply that these folks if selected don't deserve the honor, but it will beg the question from others, putting unnecessary doubt on a qualified referee, or in the alternative, sending potentially unqualified ones (like Koman Coulibaly) into the FIFA witness protection program. I mean we haven't even seen him on a milk carton.

Why even monkey around, get Massimo Busacca on the job? He is in Dubai right now training folks for 2014 ... it would seem like a reasonable choice to me.

Why is FIFA choosing someone who is not truly qualified for the job?

Maybe he makes a mean panini.

FIFA has questions ...

FIFA Asks WCup Host Russia to Explain Anti-Gay Law

IFA has asked authorities in 2018 World Cup host Russia for "clarification and more details" about a new anti-gay law, joining the International Olympic Committee in seeking answers from Moscow.

Legislation prohibiting "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors" has provoked an international furor since President Vladimir Putin signed it off in June and sparked growing concern at the IOC leading to the Sochi Winter Games in February.

The two most influential organizations in world sports are both now asking Russia how the law would be enforced during their marquee events.

See the whole story here, courtesy of ABC.

Kicking Back Comments: IOC aside, where there is clear political posturing on the part of the candidates, Russia certainly will have some 'splain to do to FIFA, and should be prepared to have its sovereign law changed for the duration of the tournament.

Some of the comments were funny as people actually think sovereign law is just that when FIFA comes to town. Sorry to say, it is not, and for 4 weeks in July, we will see (I am guessing) a kinder, gentler, Russia.

This is getting boring

FIFA warns Brazil's WC organizers

With the World Cup less than a year away, FIFA pledged to increase its monitoring of stadium construction in Brazil. The world governing body wants all 12 stadiums ready for the June 2014 kickoff of soccer's showcase event, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said Friday.

There were several delays in stadium delivery for the Confederations Cup this year, and FIFA has made it clear that it will not tolerate the same problems again. Brazil needs to deliver the final six World Cup venues by the end of the year. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Fox Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: Can we just jump to the end when a couple of the stadia are not complete and FIFA is left scrambling? I hope I am wrong, but this seems to be the inevitable outcome here as there seems to be no end in sight for this.

What really stinks, is that FIFA really would seem to have no other option than whip the organizers, then distance themselves when it all goes wrong. I would find it hard to believe that FIFA has, and Brazil has accepted, a second source for getting these stadia completed in time.

While there will certainly be a happy face on it, I am sad to think there will be many failings of the host country to complete their obligations, and FIFA impotent to help in any way. 

Blame the engineers ...

FIFA CONSIDERS SCRAPPING 3-D COVERAGE OF WORLD CUP

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — FIFA is considering scrapping 3-D broadcasts of the next World Cup, describing ESPN's decision to abandon the format as another setback for the technology.

The sports network said earlier this week that there weren't enough viewers in the United States to make 3-D broadcasts worth the investment, and ESPN's dedicated channel will close by the end of the year. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the AP.

Kicking Back Comments: I am of course kidding about the title of this post, as it would seem fairly clear that if ESPN made the decision to invest in the technology knowing that only 6% of household can utilize such a stream, and only a small percentage of those would actually watch the World Cup, it is the folks in marketing who wanted to do it in the first place that would seem to have erred.

I would think the question of "does the market want it?" would be answered before "how do we build it?" in this consumer setting.

Then again that might me the engineer in me talking.

More Bribes from FIFA?

Fifa: Brazil World Cup to have 'cheapest ever tickets'

Tickets for next year's World Cup in Brazil will be "cheapest ever", football's governing body Fifa says.

Fifa Secretary-General Jerome Valcke said 70% of the matches would cost less than in previous events; ticket prices will be announced on 19 July.

Mr Valcke and Fifa President Sepp Blatter praised the Confederations Cup in Brazil which ended on Sunday. ...

See the whole story here, from the BBC.

Kicking Back Comments: Can you see FIFA sweating now?

I don't think they are done yet ...

Will $100M End the Protests?

Brazil to get $100M from FIFA

FIFA president Sepp Blatter responded Friday to criticism of the cost of staging the World Cup in Brazil by pledging to give at least $100 million from profits back to the country.

Soccer’s governing body gave South Africa $100 million to invest in development projects after the 2010 World Cup, but it had not previously said it would establish a similar “social fund” after the 2014 tournament for Brazil. ...

See the whole story here, from The News Tribune.

Kicking Back Comments: Ignoring the obvious bribe FIFA is trying to pay the Brazilian people ... my question is ... will it work?

I am not at all convinced an afterthought of FIFA paying for some of the money they are going to earn is going to do it frankly.

Time will tell, but if I had to guess, I would say FIFA is in for a bit more.

50K is not enough ...

Tens of thousands protest FIFA Confederations Cup costs in Brazil

Youths clashed with police in central Rio Monday as more than 200,000 people marched in major Brazilian cities to protest the billions of dollars spent on the Confederations Cup and higher public transport costs.

Rio de Janeiro: Youths clashed with police in central Rio Monday as more than 200,000 people marched in major Brazilian cities to protest the billions of dollars spent on the Confederations Cup and higher public transport costs.

The nationwide demonstrations, the most extensive since the unrest began 10 days ago, were relatively peaceful.

However acts of vandalism were reported in Rio and Porto Alegre. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of NDTV.

Kicking Back Comments: Okay FIFA ... it's your move. You can clearly see how local folks are going to react to you robbing them blind.

Are you ready for some unrest during the World Cup?

Congrats to Japan!!

Japan becomes 1st team to reach 2014 World Cup

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Keisuke Honda made sure Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup by calmly converting a stoppage-time penalty kick Tuesday for a 1-1 draw against Australia.

Tommy Oar had given Australia a 1-0 lead in the 82nd minute with a lob over Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawasahima. But a handball by Matthew McKay in the last minute of regulation set up the penalty for Honda, who beat Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with a left-footed shot into the top of the net.

Japan needed at least a point to clinch a spot in next year's World Cup in Brazil from Group B in Asian qualifying. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: Ok folks, we have (3) teams qualified now ... strap in ... the best is coming.

We Promise!

FIFA guarantees that Sao Paulo World Cup stadium will be ready on time

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has guaranteed Sao Paulo's World Cup football stadium will be ready on time, one day after claiming the venue could be taken off the tournament schedule due to construction delay

Valcke met with Itaquerao stadium officials on Wednesday and said he was confident the December 2013 deadline would be met, according to the Brazilian media. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of MercoPress.

Kicking Back Comments: Bets, anyone? Anyone? FIFA Guarantees .... funny.

FIFA: Yes, You Get No Maracas

FIFA 'reevaluating' Brazilian version of vuvuzela

SAO PAULO (AP)

The days of the caxirola, Brazil's version of the vuvuzela, may be over even before the Confederations Cup begins in June.

FIFA and the local 2014 World Cup organizing committee said Friday they are reconsidering whether to allow fans to use the maraca-like instrument during the warm-up tournament. The decision came after police in northeastern Brazil banned the instruments from football stadiums because of security concerns.

It is the second World Cup in a row there has been a controversy involving local instruments used by fan. Throughout the 2010 event in South Africa there was debate about the use of vuvuzelas - plastic horns which created a din that drowned out all other crowd noise. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Fox News.

Kicking Back Comments: Take a peek at a video from The Guardian here to see the instrument in action.

No beer, no local cuisine, specially educated prostitutes, no noise makers, stadiums that are half built ... and we are still a year away from the actual World Cup.

Can't wait to see what happens next.

SHOCKING!!! ... not.

Brazil to miss FIFA deadline for World Cup stadiums

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO (Reuters) - More than half a million tickets have been sold for the Confederations Cup in June, but host nation Brazil has yet to finish the main stadiums to be used in the dress rehearsal for the 2014 soccer World Cup.

On the eve of yet another FIFA deadline, Brazil has delivered only three of the six venues for the eight-nation warm-up starting in two months.

World soccer's governing body FIFA had demanded that all six stadiums be ready by this past December but construction delays forced it to extend the deadline until April 15. Even with that extra time, all the stadiums will not be ready. ...

See the whole story here from Yahoo Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: Well I am not at all surprised here. Unlike Ronaldo, I don't blame the Brazilian culture, I blame FIFA for failing to recognize this was going to be the case from "go." I only hope no one gets hurt when the public fills these (what will be) unfinished stadia.

One interesting line in the article was:

"FIFA requires that the new stadiums be tested twice, preferably with soccer games."

Preferably?

How is the brain trust at FIFA testing GLT?

Preferably with actual matches.

Half finished stadiums, GLT that might work most of the time, disrespected sovereign law to appease sponsors, and no local food within 1.5k of any stadium.

Welcome to the World Cup 2014.

Honestly FIFA, you should have just went to England.

Do we really wonder why Sepp won't leave?

FIFA To Rake In N790 Billion From 2014 W/Cup

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is set to provide a record $5 billion (about N790 billion) windfall for FIFA, according to audit and consultancy firm BDO.

The figure represents a 36 percent rise on the $3.655 billion made at the last World Cup in South Africa and is 110 percent higher than the $2.345 billion earned at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Xinhua has reported. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of PM News.

Kicking Back Comments: If true, this is staggering. Then again, Nigeria certainly has an axe to grind with FIFA right now, so I would be interested to see the research behind the numbers.

Even if close however ... you can't tell me it ain't about the money with a straight face.

More World Cup Preparations in Brazil

Ahead of 2014's soccer World Cup, Brazilian prostitutes sign up for free English classes

The president of the Association of Prostitutes of the city of Belo Horizonte expects at least 300 of the group's 4,000 members to follow suit. The group is seeking volunteer teachers.

SAO PAULO — Prostitutes in one of Brazil's biggest cities are beginning to sign up for free English classes ahead of this year's Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the NY Daily News.

Kicking Back Comments: Remember my post Black Eyed Peas Not Allowed At World Cup!! where some local vendors were being shut out over concerns from FIFA about the amount of food to be served in the stadiums?

I wonder, seriously, if this is going to fall in the same category? Prostitution is legal in Brazil, and I wonder if FIFA is looking to get in on the action? It may sound silly ... but it is commerce that FIFA may want to engage in, or in some cases, restrict a distance form the World Cup stadiums.

It was 2k for Black Eyed Peas ... what is it for this?

It's a family show, so I won't post guesses here. Please just keep them to yourself =)

That flushing sound you just heard ...

... was $40M going down the drain for Thailand.

Fifa pulls plug on Futsal Arena

Fifa has decided not to use the Bangkok Futsal Arena (BFA) to host the 2012 Futsal World Cup competition, including the final match, due to safety concerns.

"Although further significant progress has been made, including the installation of a pitch, the key criteria laid out following the committee meeting on Oct 31 have not been sufficiently met," Fifa Futsal Committee said in a statement posted on the world football governing body's website yesterday.

"The safety of spectators, teams and all other visitors to the stadium are of paramount importance. Fifa and the local organising committee therefore concluded that such a fundamental issue, as well as the functionality of core services and facilities, cannot be compromised." ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of The Bangkok Post.

Kicking Back Comments: Substitute the word Thailand for Brazil, World Cup 2012 for World Cup 2014, futsal for football ... and what do we have?

A prediction on what will happen in Brail?

It will never happen ... but unless something changes, the situation will potentially exist based purely on the media reports.