Football News - Cheap Fares, Beer and Bonuses
FIFA audit suspended
World soccer's governing body, FIFA, is at the center of new allegations
of financial irregularities, following president Sepp Blatter's controversial
decision to suspend an internal audit of the federation's accounts.
The audit committee was suspended shortly before it was due to question
FIFA's finance director Urs Linzi over the losses incurred when FIFA's
marketing partner, ISL collapsed last year. Blatter claimed the write-off
was US$31m though opponents fear the total losses could amount to over
US$180m.
Blatter has faced severe criticism over his handling of the affair from
his number two, Michel Zen-Ruffinen, UEFA supremo, Lennart Johannson and
Issa Hayatou, the head of the African soccer confederation and Blatter's
sole challenger for the presidency in May.
In a further twist to the plot Zen-Ruffinen has been accused of petitioning
for support for Hayatou by two CONCACAF officials and Blatter allies,
Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer, and has threaten to sue the North and Central
American and Caribbean soccer federation for defamation of character.
Zen-Ruffinen was quoted in the Swiss daily Le Temps: ‘I think these
maneuvers are an attempt to stop me giving evidence because I could reveal
delicate information. For several months now I have noticed that the financial
system at the heart of FIFA is dysfunctional.''
Nice
Work If You Can Get It
The England squad have approved an expected US$7.2million World Cup bonus deal which could net them up to US$290,00 each if they win the tournament. The Japanese team have been guaranteed US$38,000 each if they reach the second round and US$229,800 if they pull off a 66/1 miracle and win the cup.
Cheap fares in Tokyo area
The Japanese government announced details of its discount passes for
fans visiting Japan for the World Cup. Each pass will cost ¥6,000
and is valid for 5 days from late May to early July. The passes will be
sold to foreign visitors at Narita Airport. Pass holders can ride trains
unlimited numbers of times during the 5 day period on the following lines:
JR lines in Tokyo's 23 wards, other JR lines connecting central Tokyo
with Yokohama international Stadium and the Kashima Stadium in Ibaraki,
JR & Keisei lines connecting Narita airport to downtown Tokyo, not
including express supplements, Saitama Railway lines connecting Tokyo
with Saitama stadium, Eidan subway lines and Toei subway lines.
The pass is a supplement to not a substitute for the JR
Japan Rail pass for intercity travel.
The passes are not magnetic cards and must be shown to station clerks.
The passes will be issued by the Tokyo metropolitan government, East Japan
Railway Company, Teito Rapid Transport Authority, Saitama Railway corporation,
and Keisei Electric Railway company.
Hotel Rooms Cancelled
FIFA has ben forced to cancel around 25,000 hotel reservations in the Tokyo and Yokohama area as teams playing at Yokohama International stadium have decided they only need to stay in the metropolitan area on the day of their games and the preceding day. The hotels in question stand to lose over US$3m and may find it difficult to gather fresh bookings. To book hotels through Soccerphile click here.
Emperor to visit Korea?
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan have been invited to attend
the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Seoul, South Korea on 31st May.
If they decide to accept, it would be the first time for a Japanese emperor
to visit South Korea. Korea was a Japanese colony from 1910 to 1945 and
anti-Japanese sentiment remains high.
The emperor and empress have already declared their intention to attend
the Japan v Sweden friendly on 25th May and the final match in Yokohama
on 30th June.
Mixed Fortunes for Hosts
Co-hosts Japan and Korea had mixed fortunes in recent friendly internationals against Costa Rica. Japan, without its European stars, was held to a 1-1 draw, whereas an improving Korea side beat the Ticos 2-0.
Hooligan
Game Causes Storm
A computer game produced by Dutch company DarXabre featuring hooligans who run amok in stadiums has drawn flak in Japan, where it will be marketed before the World Cup.
Mine's a Beer
FIFA finally confirmed that beer would be sold at all World Cup matches, but limited to one per person at half-time.
Temple Visit
The Italian team have been invited to visit a Buddhist temple near their training camp in Sendai where the local abbot will pray for their success. However, celebrity Buddhist, Roberto Baggio, does not look like making the Italian squad.
Awaji Exhibition
Awaji Island, the England team's training camp in western Japan, will host an exhibition of football memorabilia at World Park Onokoro in Tsuna-cho from April 27- June 30. On display will be a replica of the Jules Rimet trophy (the original was stolen in 1983 in Brazil), the ball used in the 1966 final and a variety of shirts, caps and medals on loan from the National football museum in Britain.
Korean games to sell out?
Korean soccer officials are optimistic, that after initial slow sales, all 32 matches in Korea will sell out. 35,000 tickets were recently sold in a single day. FIFA has also decided to sell an extra 4,000 tickets from Korea's share directly to China and from May 1 KOWOC will allow overseas customers including those from Japan to purchase from the Korean market.
Blood doping
FIFA announced that random tests for blood doping and other illegal drugs will take place even at training camps in the host nations.
Jamming
Specially equipped anti-jamming vehicles will be deployed around Japan's 10 World Cup stadiums to prevent interference to radio broadcasts.
North Korea
North Korea has failed to reply to FIFA's request to rejoin the international body but a delegation of players and coaches may visit the South during the World Cup.
Guilty, Your Honour
Sapporo's district court will suspend criminal trials in early June due to the expected increase in soccer-related offences when the city hosts its 3 games from June 1 – June 7.
The Three Tenors' Sayonara
The Three Tenors, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, will bid adieu to the World Cup in a concert at the 10,000 seat Yokohama Arena on June 27. The trio performed at the last three world cups in Rome, LA and Paris but have decided that this will be their last performance at the tournament.
Saitama Surface OK
Saitama Stadium ‘s re-laid pitch, heavily criticized after Italy's friendly with Japan in November will not now be re-laid again after it was given a clean bill of health by JAWOC officials.
Troussier Robbed
Japan's French coach, Philippe Troussier, who has done much to strengthen his team's defence, was the victim of a recent burglary, when thieves broke into his Tokyo flat and stole around US$400 in foreign currency.