Is there anything good about the 2034 World Cup going to Saudi Arabia?
The magic of a winter World Cup can brighten the darkest days of the season in this part of the world
Gianni Infantino
European leagues set to oppose any attempt to stage a Saudi World Cup in winter
The Middle East nation is set to be awarded the 2034 finals at an online Fifa Congress on Wednesday
Lily Agg unsurprised by lack of Fifa engagement over Saudi deal
Midfielder is one of five Republic of Ireland players to have signed letter objecting to sponsorship deal
The ‘mistake’ that is Fifa’s Club World Cup looms large. But will it even happen?
Sponsors and broadcasters are biding their time while the players’ union has filed a lawsuit over plans for 2025 event
Gianni Infantino to avoid spotlight with 2026 World Cup draw held virtually
Controversy remains over decision to give the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia
Irish players get behind letter to Fifa opposing Saudi Aramco’s World Cup sponsorship
Five Irish internationals were among 106 pro players from 24 countries to sign the letter to Fifa president Gianni Infantino
Women’s World Cup failing to make a dent in the TV screens of sports-mad Australians
Brisbane letter: Fifa’s decision to keep matches behind a paywall means locals are missing out as rugby, AFL and cricket dominate
Gianni Infantino confirms Fifa will not directly pay bonuses to players but to associations
All 736 players are expected to be played a minimum of €28k for taking part in the tournament
The crassest leader in global sport - Gianni Infantino’s actions at Fifa remain more dangerous than his words
A lack of proper checks and balances, open debate, or scrutiny from the public or press, is always a recipe for bad things to happen
‘I don’t know why you’d want to play that sport because it’s dreadful to watch’: The sports quotes of the year
From guff-spouting pundits to a party-loving Ronan O’Gara, here are the quips, bloopers and characters who marked the sporting feats of 2022
Doha fever dream: Tales from the protest World Cup
Long before Gianni Infantino’s jaw-dropping opening monologue this was always going to be a troubling celebration of the world game
Michael Walker: Have a great final but let’s not forget how Fifa landed us here
Politics and sport remain inextricably intertwined and the shadow of the Qatar World Cup will linger for a long time
Infantino is further proof that celebrity sporting administrators are never a good thing
The Fifa president’s white runners are a sign that he wants to be known as more than just a dull functionary
Infantino and Greek MEP Eva Kaili have made similar statements in speeches praising Qatar
Both have questioned Europe’s right to dispense ‘moral lessons’ or ‘lectures’ to Qatar
Kevin Kilbane: Football, protests and geo-politics flow downstream together in Doha
It is disappointing that England, unlike Germany and Iran, chose to duck all controversy
The Irish Times view on the latest World Cup controversy
Fifa has shown its true colours in its move to ban the use of OneLove armbands.
Joanne O’Riordan: Dear Gianni Infantino, I too feel disabled – because I actually have a disability
An open letter to the head of Fifa: Before you claim to identify with my struggle, try travelling a mile in my wheelchair
Fifa and EA Sports end two-decade video game partnership
Electronic Arts to rename the hugely popular video game EA Sports FC
Women’s World Cup: Call goes up for qualifier venue switch
September’s crucial game against Finland set for Tallaght, but pressure mounts for Aviva
World Cup 2022: England get favourable draw; Spain paired with Germany
Southgate’s side face USA and Iran with Scotland, Wales or Ukraine clash on cards
Fifa and Qatar criticised as dispute breaks out ahead of World Cup draw
Qatar World Cup chief and Norwegian FA president clash at Fifa Congress
Qatar World Cup soon to be added to Fifa’s dismal and shameless history
Echoes of 1978 tournament could be heard clearly during 2018 World Cup in Russia
Uefa president says plans to hold biennial World Cup a ‘no go’
Ceferin also launches fresh attack on attempts to form European super league
Joanne O’Riordan: Sport too greedy and self-serving to see through wily Putin
World’s sporting bodies have long been used by the Russian leader for his own nefarious ends
Fifa and Uefa suspend Russian teams from international and club game
Uefa also cancels its €40 million a year sponsorship deal with Gazprom
Keith Duggan: Putin has manipulated sport from the outset of his leadership
Folly of granting prestige events to Russia will form vital component in future assessments
Champions League final in May is moved from St Petersburg to Paris
September’s Formula One Russian Grand Prix is cancelled
IOC members fume over plans for biennial soccer World Cup
It would clash with Summer Olympics while also denting the Games’ commercial appeal
Football and the Olympics have become geopolitical bargaining chips
Johnny Watterson: Affronts come so fast that we lose the ability to react accordingly
Biennial World Cup would ‘cannibalise’ women’s game, says Ceferin
Uefa president reiterates his opposition to plans being developed by Fifa
Johnny Watterson: WTA’s stance on China and Peng Shuai is a rare moral victory
Association stands by its founding principles - something unheard of in modern sport
Qatar PR drive ahead of World Cup should be treated with scepticism
Sportswashing benefiting Gulf state’s reputation - but what’s the reality on the ground?
European Leagues reject Fifa’s World Cup proposal
Dissenting organisation includes Premier League, EFL and SPFL among its members
European clubs warn of ‘destructive’ impact of Fifa’s reform plans
Statement hits out at controversial plans which include a World Cup every two years
Premier League opposes biannual World Cup plan
Fifa’s proposal could ‘kill football’, warns Uefa’s president Aleksander Ceferin
A World Cup every two years benefits Fifa - not football or the fans
Such a proposal is about to sneak up on us, without most people realising
Fifa asks clubs to release their players for World Cup qualifiers
Premier League has refused to release players headed to countries on UK’s ‘red list’
Don’t like Fifa’s schedule? Go ahead and appeal – to Fifa
World soccer’s governing body on a collision course with leading leagues and clubs over rescheduled World Cup fixtures
Uefa report shows English clubs spent 43% of global transfer total last summer
Second-tier Championship the sixth-biggest spending league in Europe in 2020-21
Super League: Fifa chief tells clubs they cannot be ‘half in, half out’
Football bodies warned not to ban clubs and players before hearing Super League’s case
Fifa say clubs ‘must live with consequences of their choice’
Gianni Infantino: ‘either you’re in or you’re out. You cannot be half in or half out’
International duty off the menu at Liverpool due to quarantine rules, says Klopp
Several players due to play World Cup qualifiers in countries on UK’s travel red list
Fifa issues ‘criminal mismanagement’ complaint against Sepp Blatter
Former president’s involvement with the Fifa museum project at centre of complaint
IOC facing a fight to prevent athletes taking a stand in Tokyo
Medal podium would provide perfect platform for movements like Black Lives Matter
Bundesliga will take no action against players supporting George Floyd protests
A number of players signalled support for the protest during games last weekend
Uefa’s Ceferin: ‘Good old football with fans’ will be back very soon
Association president optimistic about the future and confident Euro 2021 will go ahead
FAI set for immediate €463k funding boost as Fifa release €140m in support
Money due in July will be paid early as associations struggle due to Covid-19 pandemic
Uefa president Ceferin confident Euro 2020 will go ahead as planned
Scotland boss Steve Clarke misses Nations League draw due to coronavirus risk
Revealed: Manchester City’s FFP breaches before 2014 Uefa deal
City made losses of approximately €180m in 2012 and 2013 - FFP maximum deficit is €45m
Fifa urge tougher measures to stamp out ‘disease’ of racism in football
Disciplinary proceedings opened against Bulgaria and England following Sofia match
No fans, no TV and no goals - Korean World Cup qualifier ends in stalemate
Match between North and South Korea played in front of empty stands in Pyongyang
Iranian women attend first soccer match in 40 years
Tributes paid to ‘Blue Girl’ who died after setting herself on fire last month in protest
Fifa quietly considering plan to leave Switzerland
Organisation wants to further distance itself from major corruption scandal in 2015
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices