Fifa News
Blatter pledges to step aside in 2015
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said he will not seek a fifth term in office if he is re-elected for the fourth time in June. The 75-year-old Swiss has been at the helm of the organisation since 1998, but will face a challenge from Asian confederation chief Mohamed Bin Hammam later this year.
Football D-Day - 2018 and 2022 World Cup announcement
Fifa’s top 22 executives will today vote on whether England, Russia or joint bids from Spain/Portugal bid or Belgium/Netherlands will host the 2018 World Cup. The decision, expected at 1500 GMT, with be followed by the announcement of the 2022 World Cup host - being contested by Australia, Japan, Qatar, South Korea and the United States.
Prince William to back England 2018 bid
Officials at the Football Association have confirmed Prince William will play a key role during the final stages of England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. A vote on who will be offered the opportunity to host the tournament will be taken by FIFA’s executive committee in Geneva on December 2nd.
Keep the date: FIFA refuses to change vote
FIFA had announced the vote to decide who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be taken on December 2nd as originally planned. There had been speculation the vote may be delayed following the suspension of two executive members following allegations of vote rigging.
England launches official FIFA 2018 complaint
England’s 2018 World Cup bid team has lodged an official complaint with FIFA following remarks by the head of the rival Russian bid. Alexei Sorokin highlighted a “high crime rate” in England as well as alluding to problems with youth alcohol consumption in a recent interview.