Fifa threats prompt England to scrap plan to wear One Love armband at World Cup November 21, 2022 England football chiefs say captain Harry Kane will not wear a One Love armband in their opening World Cup match against Iran today after Fifa threatened them with sporting sanctions. They were one of seven nations planning for their captains to wear the armband as a gesture of solidarity with minority groups in Qatar, where [...]
C’mon England: Pub bosses set to be the Three Lions’ biggest fans November 21, 2022 Pubs are hoping for a wintry windfall thanks to the World Cup kicking off this week. The country’s boozers are hoping that England’s first match versus Iran this afternoon will draw in crowds on a traditionally quiet trading day. The football tournament typically draws in £155m for pubs when held in the summer months. Pubs [...]
Qatar World Cup Group B analysed: England and their rivals’ strengths and weaknesses November 20, 2022 Will the real World Cup Group B stand up? On the one hand, England’s pool is the only one in Qatar in which all of the teams inhabit the top 20 of Fifa’s world rankings. On the other, Iran, the USA and Wales looks, on paper, like a kind draw for Gareth Southgate’s team. Today’s [...]
Comment: Criticise me not Qatar for World Cup, says Infantino. OK then, here goes November 20, 2022 In a speech riddled with crass false equivalences on the eve of the World Cup, Gianni Infantino had a message for critics of this tournament. “Don’t criticise Qatar. Don’t criticise the players” the Fifa president said. “Criticise me, because I am responsible for everything.” OK, Gianni; here goes. There is no shortage of material. Criticise [...]
Fifa president accuses West of ‘hypocrisy’ in Qatar World Cup coverage November 19, 2022 Fifa president Gianni Infantino has accused the West of “hypocrisy” in its reporting of Qatar’s human rights record. In a news conference in Doha, Infantino defended Qatar and the tournament, which is due to kick off tomorrow evening. “Today I have strong feelings. Today I feel Qatari, I feel Arab, I feel African, I feel [...]
Where to watch the world cup: Best London pubs for Qatar 2022 November 18, 2022 The first winter World Cup is finally upon us. Here are our top London venues to watch it. VINEGAR YARD Vinegar Yard, located next to London Bridge station, is showing all the big games on its giant screen. Those who work in the area have probably already experienced its summer beer garden, which now shifts [...]
Exclusive: Powerleague chief on price rises and making the ‘tinder of grassroots football’ November 18, 2022 On the eve of the World Cup, grassroots football is the focus for Powerleague boss Christian Rose, who has dragged it out of red and through pandemic with a metaphorical Cruyff Turn. The CEO has been in post for four years after being brought in during 2018 when the company was “not in great shape.” [...]
‘Little difficulty’ proving Qatar booze deal breached, but top lawyers say it may not mean a legal row November 18, 2022 Budweiser will have “little difficulty” proving there has been “breach of contract” after Qatar banned alcohol in stadiums for the World Cup, but top lawyers say it may not lead to a massive legal row. The beer brand’s owners AB InBev were left in a state of shock this morning after Qatar announced booze would [...]
Qatar World Cup: In dramatic U-turn alcohol banned in stadiums, Budweiser outraged November 18, 2022 Qatar World Cup officials have launched a stunning and abrupt U-turn, banning alcohol in its stadiums. The tiny Gulf kingdom is set to outlaw the consumption of beer in grounds, owing to its strict Muslim laws which prohibit alcohol. It had been promised before the tournament there would be areas where fans could drink, with [...]
Trevor Steven: Why England are among my four contenders for Qatar 2022 World Cup November 17, 2022 This World Cup is unique in its location and winter scheduling so I do wonder how real it felt for the England players arriving at their Al Wakrah camp this week, but the Qatar 2022 wallchart now blu-tacked to my fridge tells me it is definitely happening. I’m a little less excited for the tournament [...]