Suarez suspension heaviest ever
Suarez’s nine-game playing ban and four-month suspension from football activities for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s 1-0 group victory is the heaviest penalty imposed on a player in a World Cup tournament. The ban is larger than the eight-match suspension imposed on Italy’s Mauro Tassotti for breaking the nose of Spain’s Luis Enrique in the 1994 tournament and the three-match ban imposed on France’s Zinedine Zidane for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the 2006 final. Chile goalkeeper Roberto Rojas was banned for life after feigning injury by cutting himself with a blade concealed in his glove in a match against Brazil, but this occurred in a qualifier not the finals tournament.
Russia keeper ‘blinded by laser’
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Russia coach Fabio Capello says his team’s 2014 World Cup exit is due to interference from the crowd after a laser pen appears to target keeper Igor Akinfeev during the setpiece that leads to the only goal of the game, sending Algeria through to the knockout stage at the expense of the 2018 tournament hosts. Television and still pictures show a green light trained on Akinfeev’s face, and he protests strongly as Abdelmoumene Djabou’s free-kick is lofted into the area to be headed home by Islam Slimani.
He was blinded by the laser beam. There are pictures. You can see that in the footage. This not an excuse, it is a fact. There was a laser.
FIFA: Suarez needs treatment
FIFA’s top World Cup official and the international players’ union are saying that after three biting incidents, Luis Suarez needs treatment. FIFA secretary general, Jerome Valcke, says a third incident in Suarez’s career was “unacceptable.”
I think he should find a way to stop doing it, he should go through a treatment.
Room broken into
Ronaldo returns to his room at the World Cup base in Brazil and finds that a 15-year-old fan has broken into his room. The boy, Yago Leal, was able to get past security, enter Ronaldo’s room and lay on his bed. Ronaldo chose to allow the boy to escape and take a photo of him, and did not involve the police. The report states:
Once inside the room, Leal took a rest on Ronaldo’s bed because, as he said, ‘he knew he had laid on it.’.
‘Disabled’ ticket fraud
0 CommentsFIFA is investigating incidents of possible fraud involving sale of a concession batch of tickets for 2014 World Cup matches intended for pensioners, students, disabled and obese people after pictures emerge of supposedly disabled fans jumping out of wheelchairs to celebrate goals. Ticket touts are caught offering the concession passes for sale on Facebook and at the grounds, with disabled concession tickets turning extra profit as they are valid for two people to allow the disabled person to bring a carer. Police are investigating whether 22 pictures on CCTV show supposedly disabled fans standing up at the 66,000-seat Sao Paulo Arena while pictures and video appear to show fans standing up and walking in other venues.
‘I qualified Russia after 12 years’
Capello is unsure if he is equipped to stay on as Russia coach after the 2018 tournament hosts exit the 2014 World Cup at the group stage:
We’ll have to ask the management that
However despite having won only one World Cup game, a 1-0 victory for England over Slovenia in 2010, he defends his record to an English journalist:
As for England, we did actually reach the knockout round and, by the way, let me make this clear: it was thanks to us that they introduced goalline technology [after Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ was ruled not to have crossed the line against Germany]. I qualified your team to participate in the Euros and the World Cup and the figures I got were pretty respectable. And now after 12 years [of not qualifying], under my leadership this [Russia] team made it to the World Cup, OK? I did a pretty good job there I think but if you were to say that we have not done a good job here then I agree with you.
Underwear ‘under investigation’
Brazil striker Neymar Jr. is reported to be under investigation by FIFA for revealing a pair of Brazilian flag boxer shorts during the group game with Cameroon. A local website reports that the Blue Man-brand underwear are being investigated for violating FIFA’s disciplinary code, which prohibits players from displaying political and religious messages as well as publicity slogans and non-sanctioned brands. Neymar has been under scrutiny for displaying underwear in league matches with FC Barcelona while Danish player Nicklas Bendtner has been fined around $125,000 for displaying underwear, higher than fines imposed for racism-related incidents in Spain, Serbia and Croatia.
Banned
FIFA bans Suarez for nine international matches and from all football activity for four months after he is found guilty of biting Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Italy, ruling him out of playing representing Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup knockout stage. He will also miss league, cup and European matches with club Liverpool FC. A FIFA statement:
The player Luis Suarez is to be suspended for nine official matches. The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming [round of 16] FIFA World Cup fixture between Colombia and Uruguay. The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay’s next FIFA World Cup matches, as long as the team qualifies, and/or in the representative team’s subsequent official matches. The player is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity — administrative, sports or any other — for a period of four months. A stadium ban is pronounced against Luis Suarez, who is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban
Working fans get extended lunch break
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that New York’s state employees are being given an extended lunch break to view the USA – Germany game on June 26, 2014. In a letter to Team USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann:
On behalf of all New Yorkers, I wish you and the entire team the best of luck.
Suarez suspended
0 CommentsFIFA bans Luis Suarez for nine international matches and suspends him from any football activity for four months as a result of the biting incident that took place in the World Cup playoff game against Italy. This is the most severe punishment that has ever been imposed at a World Cup. Additionally, Suarez is not allowed to enter any stadiums and has been fined 100,000 Swiss Francs ($111,000). Suarez has the right to appeal the decision.
Two Ghana’s players out
A few hours before the Black Stars’ game against Portugal begins, The Ghana Football Federation (GFA) announces Sully Montari and Kevin Prince-Boateng are kicked off the team. According to a GFA, Muntari was expelled for his involvement with a federation executive, and Boateng was sent home by the team’s coach for insulting a coach. The GFA statement says:
The decision was taken in the wake of his (Muntari) unprovoked physical attack on an Executive Committee member of the GFA and a management member of the Black Stars, Mr. Moses Armah, on Tuesday 24th June, 2014 during a meeting.
The decision was taken following Boateng’s vulgar verbal insults targeted at coach Kwesi Appiah during the team’s training session in Maceio this week. Boateng has since showed no remorse for his actions which has resulted in the decision.
FIFA investigates Suarez bite
FIFA opens disciplinary action against a member of the Uruguay team, who is accused of biting a member of the Italian team during the game that took place on June 24, 2014. The Mexican referee did not see the incident and did not take action against Suarez. Suarez has been suspended on two previous occasions for biting an opponent, once in Netherlands and once in England. Suarez and the the Uruguayan soccer federation have until 5:00 pm on June 25, 2014 to respond to the latest charges. Suarez commented:
These are things that happen on the pitch, we were both in the area, he thrust his shoulder into me,” Suarez said in Spanish. “These things happen on the pitch, and we don’t have to give them so much (importance).
More viewers than World Series
0 CommentsThe U.S.-Portugal match attracts 18.2 million viewers on ESPN, fewer than many regular-season NFL games and the Super Bowl but more than the 15.5 million average for the 2014 NBA Finals and 14.9 million who tuned in to the 2013 World Series. The U.S. lead 2-1 at the end of 90 minutes thanks to a Jermaine Jones opener and a late Clint Dempsey strike, but Portugal equalize in stoppage time. The previous record in the U.S. for viewership of a soccer match is 17.9 million in 1999 for ABC’s broadcast of the Women’s World Cup final.
Equals Ronaldo record
Klose becomes joint World Cup top scorer alongside Brazilian Ronaldo on 15 goals. The 36-year-old striker equalizes with his first touch after coming on as a second-half substitute to earn Germany a 2-2 draw against Ghana, after Die Mannschaft take an early lead through Mario Gotze only to be pegged back by Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan.
FIFA to pay members $200 million
0 CommentsFIFA will pay out $200 million to its member organizations of 2014 World Cup revenue estimated at $4.5 billion. The governing body is set to pay $250,000 in June 2014 to each of its 209 member countries and $2.5 million to the six continental bodies. National members will receive a further $500,000 in 2015 and confederation members $4.5 million more. The planned bonuses are $200,000 higher than payments made after the 2010 World Cup when each FIFA member got a total of $550,000 and the six confederations each received $5 million. FIFA had budgeted to earn $3.8 billion for the four-year commercial cycle tied to the 2014 World Cup. It expects $5 billion revenue in the cycle leading to the 2018 World Cup, $2.7 billion from broadcasting rights sales and $2.3 billion from sponsors and licensing. Expenditures are expected at $4.9 billion with $100 million to be added to reserves, currently at $1.4 billion.
Google blocks FIFA ad keywords
0 CommentsGoogle won’t show ads related to around 200 phrases trademarked by FIFA related to the 2014 World Cup and including ‘FIFA,’ ‘Copa 2014,’ ‘Brazil 2014’ and ‘Brasil 2014,’ as well as the less common ‘pagode,’ a type of samba dance, and ‘Natal 2014,’ the name of a host city which translates to ‘Christmas 2014.’ The trademarks prevent Google from showing ads related to the terms. Typing one of the phrases into Google brings up a ‘OneBox’ showing upcoming matches, a rundown of the team groups, a game bracket, and a link to FIFA.com.
‘Robocop’ police suits
0 CommentsPolice in Rio de Janeiro will wear will wear protective equipment similar to the film Robocop to conduct security for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. 200 sets of the 22-lb armor have been sent to the Major Events Police Battalion (BPGE), a branch of the military police formed in January in response to demonstrations during the 2013 Confederations Cup. The suits are flame resistant to up to 427C and include a helmet and vest that protects the back, chest and shoulders, and space for a pistol, stun gun, handcuffs, baton and gun loader. Unit commander Wagner Villares:
The plastic uniform is resistant to knocks and blows. Underneath the plastic that covers the back and the chest, there is another protective layer that absorbs and spreads the force of a blow
Rio state secretary for security Jose Mariano Beltrame:
[There is a] need to give the military police specialised, efficient and intelligent instruments for patrolling, aimed at the preservation of public order in public places where there is the presence of a crowd of people gathered together.
Darth Vader police masks
0 CommentsAnti-riot police in the 12 Brazilian states hosting the 2014 World Cup will wear masks inspired by Star Wars villain Darth Vader at demonstrations by the Black Bloc protest group. Designed to protect against gas attacks, the masks can withstand high temperatures and have a visor that does not fog up. They have a voice amplifier and a tube through which the officers can sip water and use an air filter that can be linked to an external oxygen tube. A commercial analyst at Welster Itage, the company importing the masks from the U.S. where they are manufactured with the cooperation of the U.S. government, says it will deliver 5,200 masks before the tournament:
The aim is to cause a psychological effect in the demonstrators or in other citizens
Alzirão street party continues despite FIFA clash
0 CommentsThe Alzirão street party in Rio de Janeiro will continue despite opposition from 2014 World Cup organizer FIFA and issues over sponsorship. The streetfest, which started on a street corner in 1978 with a single 20-inch television and now gathers 25,000 people for matches in a suburb near the Maracanã stadium, offers big screens and a sound system, decorations, bars and sponsors, similar to FIFA’s official Fan Fest events in each city including on Copacabana beach in Rio, but fans can bring their own beer.
FIFA initially asks for 28,000 reais ($12,500) for broadcast rights, and Alzirão is also limited to one sponsor organization, beer company Brahma. Organizers say it ‘felt like they were trying to shut us down,’ but Rio mayor Eduardo Mayor Paes steps in to keep the event running. An Alzirão organizer:
Alzirão is a tradition that has not been broken in 36 years, not even in 2002, when the matches were at dawn. And with the World Cup in Brazil this year, we were never going to break it now
Mayor Paes:
The more Alzirões that arise around the city, the better. The joy of Rio’s people will not be restricted because of the World Cup
Three beer maximum
0 CommentsSales of beer at 2014 World Cup stadiums are being limited to a maximum of three glasses for men and two for women to control drunkenness and violent or rowdy behavior. A 473-ml glass of beer is sold at R$10-13 depending on the brand, while alcohol-free beer costs R$6 a cup. An official from FIFA partner Ambev, which is organizing training for tournament suppliers:
We’re not interested in making a profit from the illicit consumption of alcoholic beverages. Salespeople have been told and trained to offer alternatives to those who appear drunk already, such as non-alcoholic beer, water or food
A bar manager at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo:
I think high-spirited fans like the ‘barra bravas’ from Argentina will take a bit of work and control. But drunk is drunk and we won’t allow anyone to go to excess with their drinking, whatever the nationality.
An organizing committee spokesperson:
If the seller sees people are drunk, then they cannot sell them any more beer or anything alcoholic at all. There are very strict laws on drinking in Brazil, that also applies to drink driving for example. There are police officers who carry equipment to do regular checks on alcohol in breath. It is very tough here