There’s more trouble brewing for Serbian Soccer. The FIFA has decided ti fine the Serbian National Soccer Association 25,000 Swiss Francs over the latest incident at a Serbian/France World Cup Qualifying match. Rowdy fans decided to throw fire crackers and lighters onto the soccer pitch at French players. FIFA has said that if the unsportsmanlike behavior doesn’t end Serbia will soon have to pay in more than just money, they will soon be fined in precious points that could cost them a chance to play in the 2010 World Cup.
The decision has not been taken lightly, but something had to …read more

Doping and fair play in general has always been a top priority for FIFA officials. So when rumors surfaced that Nigeria was playing over aged teens in the U-17 World Cup games they had to do something.
FIFA has announced that they will randomly test players from the 24 competing U-17 nations with a new bone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner that will determine the age of the players. The test in non-invasive and causes no harm to the players. The integrity of the sport however is what is at stake. It’s not uncommon for teams to recruit players who …read more

It’s not looking too good for Canada in their attempt at playing in the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup games. Their ranking has been tallied by the FIFA governing body as being in 66th place. This is not at all surprising considering we are a hockey country and only have two MLS teams.
Soccer critics have blamed the Canadian Soccer Association for not giving their best players more support in the game. But I guess that’s what happens when there is no money from sponsors for the game.
The United States on the other hand has almost been able to …read more

It would have been another underdog success story had Iraq been able to take the lead over Spain but it just didn’t happen. Iraq lost 1-0 against Spain who were the division leader.
Coach Bora Milutinovic had an unexpected smile on his face when his team lost the game.
“I’m very, very happy for the way my team played. Especially to play against a team like Spain in this way, when we didn’t have so much time to prepare for this game.”
To be honest its truly was remarkable that a team like Iraq was able to fend of Spain as well as …read more

The worldwide FIFA organization are petitioning the International Olympic Committee to help devise new rules regarding soccer in the Olympic games. One of the rules they are hoping to change is the baring of any player over 21 years old.
This they hope will help encourage young talent by giving them a platform from which to shine. Other rules being brought up is the baring of players who have played in the World Cup games. This they say is unfair for other teams who can’t possibly compete against these teams.
Personally I think they should implement both of these rules. It is …read more

The world-wide FIFA organization has reported record gains in earnings this year, despite economic troubles. Soccer seems to be the only sport not affected by the recent economic depression (Maybe if it was more popular in the United States and Canada things might look a little brighter).
FIFA revealed today that they have earned over $957 million in revenues. After all of the bills were paid $184 million turned out to be pure profits. Executives believe that the earnings show that the world still love soccer and are willing to support their national teams.
Most of the revenue for FIFA was earned …read more

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) president, John Fahey has lashed out today against FIFA for the headache caused by their unwillingness to adhere to new rules.

WADA and FIFA came to an agreement after soccer players voiced concern over the new rules enforced by WADA. At first WADA pointed out that they could have complained earlier if there was a problem but they went ahead with renegotiations anyways. With everything settled FIFA players are still grumbling over the new rules.
WADA was established to act as a referee of sorts against professional drug use. Soccer players, who are not known to use …read more

Some new anti-doping rules are about to take effect for world soccer players. FIFA helped soccer players argue against stricter rules set out by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to create a soccer specific set of regulations.

The newer regulations are still strict but at least now they are manageable. The rules will target players most at risk for taking steroids; like those with extended injury or suspension leave, participants in the Champions League clubs, and international players. These players will have to notify WADA of their whereabouts at all times. They will also be subject to unscheduled drug testing.
Players saw …read more

The World FIFA Organization has announced that referees will now have the authority to delay matches for safety reasons. FIFA President Sepp Blatter told stadium and security committee members that “not one human life should be put in the balance by football.”

The decision comes as a direct result of the recent incident in the Ivory Coast when non-ticket holding fans stormed the makeshift barricade to get in. 19 fans were trampled under the stampeders and refs who were unsure as to what to do simply continued with the game as scheduled.
It has been a long standing opinion that what happens …read more

FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) have come to an agreement this week over new screening rules imposed on high profile players.

The players union have complained to FIFA and the UEFA that the new WADA rules were unrealistic and restrictive. As of January 1st WADA implemented a new rule that asked that players divulge their off-season travel plans to the association months in advance. The rule left little for spontaneity, unrealistic especially if you are the type of person who likes to just take off to the Caribbean.
Instead of the restrictive rules, WADA said that they would allow …read more