Fifa crisis: Chuck Blazer admits accepting bribes for 1998 and 2010 World Cups June 3, 2015 Chuck Blazer, a former Fifa official, has admitted that he accepted bribes for World Cup bids. In his guilty plea in a secret 2013 hearing in New York, Blazer said that he and others on Fifa's executive committee accepted bribes for the 2010 and 1998 World Cups. Read more: US investigation includes 2018 and 2022 [...]
Fifa scandal: US investigation includes 2018 and 2022 World Cups June 3, 2015 The FBI's investigation of Fifa, the world's football governing body, involves scrutiny of how it awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 competition to Qatar. A US official confirmed that the awards to host the next two global competitions would form part of the probe that led to Sepp Blatter's resignation as [...]
Louis Saha: Fifa made me ashamed as a footballer and a fan – but with Blatter gone it can be fixed June 3, 2015 In a matter of days, the most anticipated game in world football is upon us. Two juggernauts of domestic football will clash as Juventus take on Barcelona in Berlin to compete for the Champions League trophy. Fans of the game of all ages and nationalities will be united, albeit from their armchairs, in the emotions [...]
Fifa sponsors celebrate Sepp Blatter resignation: Coca-Cola, Visa, McDonald’s, Budweiser, Adidas and Hyundai all welcome move June 3, 2015 Fifa's sponsors have breathed a sigh of relief following Sepp Blatter's surprise decision to resign as president. Blatter's stepping down follows a week of scandal for football's under-fire governing body after a number of top officials were arrested on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering. Read more: UK directors tell Fifa backers to speak [...]
Fifa crisis: Interpol issues red notice putting Jack Warner, Nicolás Leoz, Alejandro Burzaco, José Margulies, Hugo Jinkis and Mariano Jinkis on most wanted list June 3, 2015 Six former Fifa officials, including Jack Warner, have been placed on Interpol's most wanted list under charges including racketeering, conspiracy and corruption. A red alert, the highest possible apart from an international arrest warrant, was issued this morning on behalf of the US. As well as the Trinidad and Tobago official and former [...]
FBI target Blatter as Fifa kingpin quits at last June 2, 2015 President calls time on 17-year reign amid corruption probe BESIEGED Sepp Blatter is believed to be under investigation by the FBI after shocking football by suddenly quitting the presidency of scandal-hit world governing body Fifa yesterday. Blatter, 79, brought an abrupt end to his 17-year reign with a hastily-convened speech, saying he did not feel [...]
Federer targets Wimbledon title after French blip June 2, 2015 WORLD No2 Roger Federer immediately switched his focus to securing an eighth Wimbledon title after crashing out of the French Open at the quarter-final stage yesterday. Second seed Federer, who won at Roland Garros in 2009, slumped to a straight-sets 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) defeat to compatriot and Davis Cup team-mate Stan Wawrinka in an [...]
Cook unconcerned by misfiring middle order June 2, 2015 TEST skipper Alastair Cook has defended his side’s misfiring middle-order after New Zealand ripped through England to level the series with an emphatic 199-run success in the second Investec Test at Headingley yesterday. Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler top scored with 73 while the in-form Cook notched 56, but England were severely blighted by the loss of [...]
Sport Comment: He’s gone, but major questions linger for world governing body June 2, 2015 WIDELY welcomed – and, due to its suddenness and haste, slightly surreal – though it was, Sepp Blatter’s resignation as president yesterday should not be seen as a panacea for Fifa’s many ills. While Blatter is on the way out after some 17 years controlling the multi-billion pound organisation, he could remain in charge until [...]
Mourinho warns Loftus-Cheek June 2, 2015 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho issued highly-rated midfield prospect Ruben Loftus-Cheek with a stinging rebuke for his performance in yesterday’s post-season friendly win over Sydney FC. Loftus-Cheek, 19, is considered the best placed of a clutch of talented Blues youngsters to become the first academy graduate to establish themselves as a first-team regular since long-serving skipper [...]