FIFA

FIFA Update: Europe's UEFA Backs Blatter's Opponent; Raids In Brazil

1:27pm May 28, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Accusations of rampant corruption at FIFA came just days before Sepp Blatter is set to stand for re-election Friday. Europe's UEFA says it will back Blatter's lone opponent.

The FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. On Wednesday, Swiss police raided a Zurich hotel to detain top FIFA officials as part of a U.S. investigation into corruption.

U.S. Indicts 14 In FIFA Corruption Inquiry

2:08am May 28, 2015

Seven officials were arrested in Switzerland. "This really is the World Cup of fraud," says Richard Weber, chief of the IRS' Criminal Investigation unit, "and today we are issuing FIFA a red card."

FIFA President Sepp Blatter kicks a ball during the inauguration of a football stadium in the village of Dura al-Qari near the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday. Blatter said he is on a

For Israel, Soccer Becomes A Geopolitical Football

8:39pm May 20, 2015

by Emily Harris

The head of FIFA visited Israel and the West Bank this week, where Palestinians are petitioning to expel Israel from soccer's governing body — and its biggest international tournaments.

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In this photo taken May 3 during a government-organized media tour, Kuttamon Chembadnan Velayi from Kerala, India, speaks to journalists while sitting on his bed in a room he shares with seven other Indian laborers in Doha, Qatar. The housing facility has

Labor Groups Blast Working Conditions In Qatar Ahead Of World Cup

4:10pm May 18, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

Their call comes on the same day the BBC said a reporting crew spent two nights in a Qatari jail for trying to film migrant workers who are building the infrastructure for the sporting event.

Qatar To Host Final Of Soccer's 2022 World Cup On Dec. 18

7:45pm March 19, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

FIFA, soccer's governing body, also said the tournament will be played over "a reduced timeframe." Separately, FIFA announced that France will host the 2019 Women's World Cup.

An artist's impression of the Qatar Foundation Stadium, one of the venues for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A FIFA task force recommended today that soccer's showcase tournament be played from late November to the end of December.

FIFA Panel Backs Winter World Cup In Qatar In 2022

3:22pm February 24, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

Soccer's World Cup is typically played over the summer, but temperatures in Qatar during that season can exceed 110 degrees. A winter tournament would coincide with the European club season.

Jordanian Prince To Challenge 4-Term FIFA Chief For Presidency

10:42am January 06, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein said he is running against incumbent Sepp Blatter because he believes "it is time to shift the focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter attends a press conference in Marrakech, Morocco, on Friday.

FIFA Votes To Release At Least Some Of The Controversial World Cup Report

10:51am December 19, 2014

by Eyder Peralta

Soccer's governing body also announced that it would not revisit the bidding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, because there were no legal grounds to do so.

Michael J. Garcia, head of FIFA's investigatory chamber of the ethics committee, resigned Wednesday in protest.

FIFA Begins Meeting After American Lawyer's Angry Resignation

11:22am December 18, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

Soccer's governing body will, among other things, discuss preparations for the 2018 World Cup. But it's the resignation of Michael Garcia over his corruption report that is likely to draw attention.

FIFA Dismisses U.S. Lawyer's Appeal On Handling Of World Cup Report

11:41am December 16, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

Michael Garcia had filed an appeal against how his report into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 soccer World Cup was handled. FIFA said his appeal is inadmissible.