Football News - ID Checks, Tickets, Byrom, Blatter, Bras and Water
Last-Minute Sales
Fifa began last minute ticket sales on a first come first served basis at http://www.fifatickets.com. The initial launch was dogged by server problems with many fans being unable to access the site, but tickets remain available for many matches in Korea though games in Japan appear largely unavailable.
No ID Checks at Stadiums
At the same time that FIFA's World Cup coordinator Peter Velappan was stating on a recent visit to inspect the readiness of Japan's stadiums, that ticket holders must produce an ID that matches the name on their ticket, Japan's national broadcaster NHK announced that there would be no identification checks at stadiums across the country. Experts have long argued that ID checks were unworkable due to the time and number of additional staff that would be required. It has been calculated that it would take up to nine hours to check a crowd of 50,000 people's ID as well as conduct security searches. Another reason for the climb down and acceptance of free market forces was the availability of tickets for games in Korea coming on to the Japanese market. It would prove impossible for the printers of tickets to add purchasers names at such short notice.
Byrom and the Missing Match Tickets
Many
World Cup fans from Britain may be travelling to the Far East without
the match tickets that they have shelled out for.
The Football Association says thousands of tickets have not arrived at
the FA HQ due to a disagreement between the FA and Byrom plc, the company
with the responsibility to supply the tickets. Fans are facing a trip
to Korea and Japan hoping the tickets will be there when they arrive.
There has been criticism in the press of the way Byrom plc has handled
the organisation of ticket distribution with tales of staff working 48
hours non-stop to get the tickets out on time. Byrom, owned by two Mexican
brothers, dealt with accommodation at previous World Cups for FIFA, but
this is the first time the company has been in charge of ticketing. It
is not clear whether or not Byrom won the contract from FIFA via a tendering
process.
There have been no delays over the 600,000 corporate sponsor tickets or
the 200,000 tickets allocated to FIFA officials.
Blatter in a Spot of Bother
FIFA president Sepp Blatter will come under fire once again - this time
through the courts - over his tenure as head of the world governing body
of association football.
Eleven high-ranking members of FIFA, led by Lennart Johansson the head
of UEFA, have filed a formal complaint with the Zurich First Prosecutor
against the president. He is being accused of financial mismanagement,
attempts at illegal influence in the forthcoming election for president
on 29 May in Seoul (in which he is standing against Issa Hayatou of Cameroon
for the four-year post) and conflicts of interest.
General Secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen claims that something in the region
of $500 million has been lost during Blatter's reign as FIFA supremo.
He also accuses him of cronyism and deception as well as acts, which may
be considered illegal under Swiss law, particularly a payment by Blatter
to Adrian Wickham of the Solomon Islands.
For his part, Blatter has retorted that Zen-Ruffinen's report contains
"misleading facts, figures and allegations" and is part of a
smear campaign ahead of the FIFA presidential election. He has also criticised
his accusers for not allowing him the chance to respond to the charges.
"I made mistakes now and then, but there were no criminal wheelings
and dealings." added Blatter.
Cute Paper Cranes
In the country which uses an astonishing 40% of Asia's paper consumption,
the Japanese World Cup organising committee (JAWOC) has announced that
2 million origami paper cranes - a symbol of peace and longevity - will
be poured down on the stadium in Yokohama during the finale of the World
Cup. JAWOC is appealing to Japanese elementary and junior-high school
students to make the cranes, which will "float down into the International
Stadium Yokohama and cover the [World Cup] champions and everyone else
present".
The paper to make the cranes will be specifically designed for the event.
According to the Japan Forestry Resources Network (JATAN) Japan is the
world's largest importer of wood, pulp, and paper products traded on the
world market and Japan's impact is felt in many countries around the world,
including the USA, Canada, Russia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Chile
and many others. About one third of all logs exported from Malaysia and
Russia, plywood from Indonesia and sawn wood from Chile are destined for
Japan. Almost all of the woodchip exported from Australia, the USA and
Chile is also headed to Japan.
Outside Japan, Japanese timber and trading corporations are known for
their devastating logging techniques and their violation of community
rights to resources.
Oita to Offer Free Hot Baths
Fans hoping to get themselves into hot water during the World Cup can take up an offer of free hot spring baths ‘onsen' in Oita prefecture if they hold tickets for any of the games held at the city's ‘Big Eye' stadium.
Osaka Police Practice Riot Control
1,600 Osaka police took part in large-scale anti-terrorism and anti-hooligan drills May 11 on a reclaimed site in Osaka bay.
World Cup Stamps
A second edition of 37.4 million ¥80 World Cup stamps, depicting the official poster and World Cup trophy will go on sale May 24 in post offices across Japan. Semi-final and final versions will also be available in late June. The stamps will show Yokohama and Saitama stadiums and the records of the teams that have progressed to the last four.
Chinese Aim to Crack Down on Protest
The Chinese Foreign Ministry aims to stifle anti-government protest at
the Chinese team's games in Korean stadiums by banning fans from
travelling with flags and banners, which have a religious or political
significance.
Protests are expected from Korean activists unhappy with China's
policy of refusing North Koreans the right to seek political asylum in
China.
Japanese Prefectures Feel the Pinch
Japanese
municipalities who spent millions of yen to lure teams to set up training
camps in their cities are feeling the pinch as security expenses rise.
Tokamachi, in Niigata prefecture must find an additional US$359,000 to cover the costs of extra fencing, lighting and security. Public funding has been sought from the town's inhabitants but only a quarter of the necessary funds have so far been raised. Kuriyama in Hokkaido lost US$666,000 in an unsuccessful bid to woo Mexico to the town and Kawasaki wasted US$1.8 m in its unsuccessful effort to attract Croatia. Tsunacho, on Awaji Island is considering selling its prize possession, a US$784,000 gold ingot to cover the financial burden of hosting England and its citizens may not even be allowed to see the team train.
See: Sven Screens England
World Cup Bra
Japanese
lingerie maker, Triumph International have brought out a novelty bra and
panties to coincide with the World Cup. The US$133 underwear is made of
green polyester velour to represent grass with the cups patterned to look
like soccer balls covered with nylon goal netting. The panties have an
image of a goalkeeper making a save. Only 100 sets are available in Tokyo
department stores.
Russian Training Ground Damaged By Vandals
Russia's training facilities in Shimizu, Shizuoka were the victim
of an attack by unknown vandals who sprayed the practice pitch with weed
killer over the weekend of 4 and 5 May. Officials report that the pitch
will be repaired in time for the arrival of the Russian squad.
Japan relations with Russia remain strained over 4 islands off the coast
of Hokkaido seized by Russia at the end of World War II.
Off The Air
Osaka, famed for its giant downtown video screens, will not be screening World Cup games, highlights or, in most cases not even results, on its many outdoor screens, due to fears of hooliganism and congestion. The owners of Osaka's best-known screen in downtown Dotombori were quoted as saying: ‘We feel that soccer fans may become excited and dive into the river.'
Costa Rica Win World Cup….er…Race
Costa Rica became the first team to head out to the World Cup when the team left for Japan on May 11.
Brazilian Ref Barred at Home
Brazilian referee Carlos Eugenio Simon, one of the 36 referees selected for the 2002 World Cup has been suspended from officiating in Brazil indefinitely after a number of ‘errors' in a Brazilian cup match. The suspension was criticized as ‘harsh' by fellow referees.
Brazil Free to Play
Unlike Japan's squad, who have had a sex ban slapped on them by coach Philippe Troussier, Brazil's players will be free to indulge themselves during the finals. Brazil coach ‘Big Phil' Scolari would prefer his team to abstain during the big event and earlier commented, ‘Any individual who cannot control this aspect of his life is not a human being, but an irrational animal.' Squad member Edilson has a different view, ‘We all have active sex lives and it's clear that 50 days without sex will not be easy.'
Foot & Mouth in Korea
An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in South Korea has Japan's agriculture officials worried the disease may be spread to its shores by visiting fans.
Korean Hotel Workers Threaten Strike
Hotel workers in Korea's major hotels are threatening to stage a strike in protest at poor pay and working conditions at the end of May. The government had earlier pressed unions to keep the period of the world Cup a ‘strike-free zone'.