World Football

Brazilian telecommunications company becomes first World Cup sponsor for Brazil 2014

2010-04-08T13:18:00.001-07:00

Oi’s agreement with FIFA begins in 2011 and will run until 2014, during which time the telecommunications giant will enjoy global rights aimed at consolidating the Oi brand as a supporter of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, as well as reinforcing the company’s image both at home in Brazil and throughout Latin America.

Brazilian telecommunications company becomes first World Cup sponsor for Brazil 2014

FIFA is extremely proud to announce Brazil’s largest telecommunications company, Oi, as the first Brazilian FIFA World Cup Sponsor for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

Oi is the largest telecommunications company in Brazil, offering local and long-distance voice transmission, mobile telephony, data communication, internet and entertainment. In a landmark agreement, which begins in 2011, Oi will become the official FIFA World Cup telecommunications service provider for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Already a major contributor to sporting development within its homeland,

Oi is set to play a major role in hosting the most eagerly anticipated sporting event of recent times in Brazil.

"Efficient and reliable communications are a vital and integral part of everything we do in the modern world, and to approach a FIFA World Cup without the help and expertise of a major telecommunications provider would be unthinkable. We are therefore delighted to announce that Oi will be joining FIFA as a global sponsor for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil," said Thierry Weil, Director of FIFA’s Marketing Division.

"Already Brazil’s largest telecommunications company, Oi has a rapidly-expanding reputation throughout Latin America and represents a perfect fit within the portfolio of FIFA’s World Cup Sponsors. We’re especially pleased that Oi is committed to continuing its emphasis on the sporting development of its own youth as this is obviously something that remains extremely close to our own hearts here at FIFA."

Football for Hope Festival 2010 site inaugurated in Alexandra

2010-04-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

The Football for Hope Festival is an official event of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is organised by FIFA, streetfootballworld, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa and the City of Johannesburg.

Football for Hope Festival 2010 site inaugurated in Alexandra

The Football for Hope Festival, which will take place in the Alexandra township in Johannesburg from 4 to 10 July 2010, reached an important milestone today, 25 March, with the official site inauguration. Among the many guests attending the site inauguration were Johannesburg’s member of the mayoral committee for community development, Bafana Sithole, 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa CEO Dr Danny Jordaan and streetfootballworld Managing Director Jürgen Griesbeck.

“For the first time, the social dimension of the game will be celebrated as an official element of the FIFA World Cup,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, who could not be present at the inauguration due to other commitments, in a message. “We hope that the eyes of the world will be on Alexandra and we will create new heroes for this community.”

“More than most, South Africans understand the importance of social development and the power of sport to influence positive social change, so the Football for Hope Festival is a key initiative for us. The world’s best footballers will be in South Africa for the FIFA World Cup, but we believe the equally deserving footballers and incredible stories from around the world also warrant global recognition and we encourage people to come and attend the festival in Alexandra,” said Dr Jordaan.

“From the minefields of Cambodia to the slums of Nairobi, football can bring hope to the lives of young people,” said Jurgen Griesbeck. “This festival will be a celebration of the people who dedicate their lives to helping others in their community using the game we all love.”

Thirty-two teams of boys and girls from disadvantaged communities worldwide will gather in Johannesburg for a festival of education, culture and football during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The young people are selected for their contribution to building a better future in their communities.

The names of the boys and girls who will be representing Alexandra were announced at the inauguration of the site of the Football for Hope Festival today. The ceremony also included a star appearance from 2010 FIFA World Cup™ mascot Zakumi, and an “All Stars” football match featuring, amongst others, African football celebrities such as Brian Baloyi and Alfred Maimane Phiri.

FIFA Executive Committee approves special funding for Chile and Haiti

2010-04-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

The Olympic Football Working Group, which includes representatives from all six confederations, unanimously proposed to maintain the same eligibility criteria for future Men’s Olympic Football Tournaments as are currently in place, i.e. under-23 players plus three optional over-23 players.

FIFA Executive Committee approves special funding for Chile and Haiti

The FIFA Executive Committee, under the chairmanship of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, today, 19 March 2010, approved special funding for the football associations of Chile and Haiti to assist them in the reconstruction of their facilities following the natural disasters that recently hit the two countries. During the two-day meeting, the executive received reports on the preparations for the 60th FIFA Congress and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, and took a number of decisions including the appointment of hosts for several FIFA competitions between 2011 and 2013.

The Executive Committee confirmed an allocation of USD 3 million to a special projects fund for Haiti in order to assist in the reconstruction of the football association’s headquarters, technical centres and regional youth facilities. FIFA had already provided immediate emergency aid of USD 250,000 shortly after the earthquake.

In addition, the executive approved a decision from the Goal Bureau to allocate three Goal projects worth USD 1.2 million to assist the Chilean Football Association in the reconstruction of the football facilities in Chile. An immediate assistance fund of USD 250,000 had already been provided by FIFA following the recent earthquake and tsunami in the South American country.

The Executive Committee decided to lift the suspension on the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) after noting that the National Olympic Committee of Iraq (NOCI) had withdrawn the dissolution of the IFA and that the IFA had had its full authority restored. The Iraqi FA had been suspended in November 2009 due to governmental interference. The executive also agreed to submit to the next FIFA Congress the expulsion of The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (BAFA) if the BAFA has not been reinstated by then, after noting that no major progress had been made since the BAFA was suspended in September 2009.

Furthermore, reports were provided on the preparations for the 60th FIFA Congress and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, which are well on track. The executive decided to approve that single yellow cards will be deleted only once during the competition in South Africa, after the quarter-final stage.

The Executive Committee rejected a proposal from AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam to bring to the FIFA Congress a request to limit the mandate of the FIFA presidency to two consecutive terms of four years (15 votes against, 5 in favour and 1 abstention).

The executive approved the 2009 Financial Report, with a positive annual result of USD 196 million (revenue of USD 1,059 million and expenses of USD 863 million). The budget for the next four-year cycle, 2011-2014, was also approved, with foreseen revenue of USD 3.8 billion and expenses of USD 3.6 billion, out of which 74% will be dedicated to football development projects and the organisation of FIFA competitions. The complete 2009 Financial Report can be found on FIFA.com.

Finally, the following decisions were taken by the Executive Committee during the meeting:

• to appoint Azerbaijan as host of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2012

• to appoint Italy as host of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 once all pending documentation has been provided, and Tahiti as host of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013

• to appoint Thailand as host of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012

• to postpone the decision on the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2012, in order to give more time to potential bidders to prepare their bids

• to inform the Indonesian Bidding Committee that they have lost their right to bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ after adequate governmental guarantees were not provided by Indonesia by the relevant deadlines

• to approve the new Regulations on the Organisation of Refereeing in the Member Associations and the new Equipment Regulations

• to approve the dates of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 (8 to 18 December 2010) and the prize money (USD 16.5 million)

Brazil are ready - Gilberto Silva

2010-03-29T01:38:00.000-07:00

Despite a career that has featured triumph at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™, English Premier League and FA Cup, plus victory in the 2007 Copa America and FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, A Seleção stalwart Gilberto Silva has not been immune to criticism in recent years. Yet it is the simplicity with which he plays the game, a quality that means his contribution in central midfield is often underestimated, that makes him such a vital cog in Dunga’s Auriverde machine.

Charged with screening his defence, winning the ball back and supplying Brazil’s creative talents, the 33-year-old Panathinaikos star’s excellence in that role, allied to the experience garnered at two editions of world football’s biggest event, could prove vital to the Canarinha’s bid for a sixth global crown come South Africa 2010. FIFA.com spoke to the midfielder on a range of issues including his midfield partner Felipe Melo, his playing philosophy and a possible return to former club Atletico Mineiro.

FIFA.com: Gilberto, your starting place in the Seleção side went virtually unquestioned since Korea/Japan 2002, that is until this FIFA World Cup qualifying phase just past. What do you think happened?

Gilberto Silva: Listen, I’m a player who always tries to keep the game simple, but that’s not always what the fans are looking for. To be honest though, I don’t let it bother me. It doesn’t matter to me if whoever’s giving me a score out of ten in the paper doesn’t notice my contribution. When they give me grief, I think back to the start of my career when I was breaking into the Seleção and everybody doubted what I’d be able to bring to the team. I see that as an extra motivating factor, although of course sometimes it gets on my nerves. Especially as it’s my own country we’re talking about, because outside Brazil I’m incredibly well-respected and people value what I do.

However, it seems that victory at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 proved crucial in silencing the critics. Did everything really change after your performances in South Africa?

Yes, the Confederations Cup was very important. Some people questioned what I was doing there, because I’d not been playing much at Arsenal. Some couldn’t comprehend how I was first-choice for the national team while I wasn’t starting for my club. Anyhow, I tried to react positively to the criticism and it only made me work even harder in South Africa.

Did Brazil boss Dunga ever take you to one side to talk about the pressure you were under and what you were going through at club level?

Dunga’s a coach who is always very open with us. And anyway, I was perfectly aware that not being first-choice at Arsenal wasn’t doing my cause any good, which is why I looked to change clubs. As things stood, with me spending a lot of games on the bench, I knew that my place in the Seleção could be in danger. Deciding to make the switch to Greek football was important for me and I don’t regret it. Even though it’s a less high-profile league [than the English Premiership], I knew that I needed to be playing every week. But, above all that, Dunga was always very open and he would have been totally free to tell me he thought I shouldn’t be playing [for Brazil].

At the moment, not only are you a starter but you are also a key leadership figure within the squad, correct?

The great thing is that the leadership role came about naturally, without anyone having to force the issue. The lads who break into the national squad now tend to look to those who know the situation best, like me, Lucio or Kaka, for example. There’s no doubt that it’s a big responsibility but it’s a good type of responsibility. It’s also good to know we have that role.

Unlike Lucio, however, it seems that you are not much of a talker on the pitch...

I am, I really am. Even so, I think that the role us leaders in the squad have goes over and above footballing matters. The personal side counts too. Once a game is over, you find yourself dealing with each player’s emotions: talking to them, cheering them up, even telling them off if need be. Especially when you’re involved in a month-long tournament, which seems like such a long time but which passes really quickly. I think that it has to do with the way I am: I try to be everybody’s friend and respect people’s differences. Just as I mentioned that I try to keep things simple when I’m playing, I try to do the same in life too.

This will be your third FIFA World Cup finals. What did you learn from each of the two previous editions?

The two situations were very different. In 2002 players like Cafu, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos were our leading men, and I was fortunate enough to win a place in the team and play all the way through to the Final. Then in 2006, with more experience under my belt, I didn’t begin the tournament as a first-choice starter but I was back in the team by the end. Appearing at that World Cup was important, even though I didn’t play in all the games. In any case, I’ve experienced both sides of the coin, with victory in 2002 and our loss in Germany, which was hugely frustrating. I think that experience is valuable.

Your experience should also prove valuable to your central midfield partner Felipe Melo, who only broke into the national squad just over a year ago.

The partnership Felipe and I have today is really important. He’s the same age (26) as I was when I broke into the national squad in 2002: he’s a young player and one who’s more suited to pushing on and joining the attack. I think that we form a well-balanced midfield duo. Felipe has earned his place in the team. People normally act quite shy when they first get called up to the Seleção, but he was very calm from the beginning and things went really well. He seized his chance. And that’s what the Brazilian national team is like: you’ve got to be ready whenever the opportunity arises because you may only get one chance. That’s what happened to me when I went to the 2002 World Cup. It’s hard enough getting into the Seleção, but staying there is even tougher.

Do you feel that Felipe Melo, a midfielder who is keen to push forward as well as carrying out his defensive duties, is a good example of what is expected in that position nowadays?

That’s the way it’s worked out. To be honest, particularly in Europe, that’s been key for every midfielder, even attacking ones - everybody has both offensive and defensive duties. But even in a team with as much quality as the Seleção, I don’t think we can have midfielders flying forward at every opportunity. Football is like being in a band: everybody has their part to play. One might focus on scoring goals, another on stopping them. That’s how Brazil have found the ideal blend, because each player carries out their role with distinction.

What is your verdict on the group Brazil have been drawn in at South Africa 2010? Given your time in the English game, you will already know many of the players you will take on in Group G.

If you compare it to England or Spain’s groups, for example, I think it’s justified to call ours “the Group of Death”, but this team’s already lived through a lot of adversity and is ready to face this situation. I know a lot of the Portuguese players and particularly the Ivorians, who I played alongside at Arsenal. In fact, Kolo Toure and [Emmanuel] Eboue have been giving me loads of stick, joking around and saying that Côte d’Ivoire are going to beat Brazil. (Laughs) But of course they respect us, that’s just what it’s like at the World Cup: everybody wants to beat Brazil.

There has been a wave of Brazilian players returning to their homeland. Is there a chance that you could one day go back to Atletico Mineiro?

(Chuckles) Well, I’ve got a year and a half left on my contract with Panathinaikos, but after that who knows? I’ve always had a lot of affection for Atletico and I still follow their results. I’ve got a lot of respect for the fans and the people at the club and they respect me too. But you can’t force these things, we’ll see what happens once my contract runs out.

Going on safari in South Africa

2010-03-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

The Eastern Cape

Dotted across South Africa’s East Coast, the parks and reserves of the Eastern Cape are much smaller than the likes of the Kruger or Madikwe. Nonetheless, many of them stand proudly as Big Five destinations and safaris in these smaller reserves are often overwhelming experiences. The fact that the region is completely malaria-free and so close to a number of coastal attractions, such as Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route, make the reserves of the Eastern Cape an excellent and convenient safari choice for anyone enjoying FIFA World Cup matches in this area. The best of the Eastern Cape parks and reserves are Addo Elephant National Park, Kwandwe and Shamwari. Lalibela and Amakhala are also good alternatives.

Madikwe

Pushing up against the Botswana border and only three hours' drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, Madikwe is perhaps South Africa’s most underrated wildlife area. Along with boasting 'The Big Five' (lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino, buffalo) and a high concentration of predators, Madikwe is also renowned for sightings of two other elusive and seldom spotted animals: cheetah and wild dog. Like the Pilanesberg, Madikwe is a malaria-free area, making it an attractive option for families. Madikwe is, however, not open to self-drivers or day visitors and only lodge guests may enter the reserve.

The Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is undoubtedly one of Africa’s biggest and most spectacular wildlife destinations. Roughly the size of Wales, this massive park is as rich and diverse in habitats as it is in wildlife. Nowhere else in Africa can you so easily explore a pure, unaffected wilderness. An excellent network of tarred and dirt roads run throughout the Kruger and many visitors chose to self-drive and stay in one of the many affordable rest-camps scattered throughout the park. For something truly memorable, you could splash out and book yourself into one of the private lodges in, or adjacent to, the Kruger. Ranging from standard to luxurious, these lodges offer unparalleled bush experiences, including private game drives and walking safaris, coupled with world-class accommodation.

KwaZulu-Natal

What KwaZulu-Natal’s parks and reserves lack in size they make up for in wildlife sightings and coastal convenience. The single stretch of highway running north from Richards Bay and Durban, makes self-driving a good option in this wild and raw section of South Africa. The government-run Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, which boasts the largest white rhino population in the world, is a fantastic place to explore for a day or two. Meanwhile, Phinda is as good as it gets for a private and luxurious safari holiday. With several distinct ecosystems and all of the Big Five accounted for, the reserve offers excellent game viewing and exploration; it is also renowned for cheetah and rhino sightings. Mkuzi, Amazulu and Pongola are all, also, excellent choices.

The Pilanesberg

Perched in the crater of an extinct, ancient volcano in South Africa’s North West Province is the Pilanesberg. Scenic photos of the Pilanesberg are often easily mistaken for images of East Africa; the comparison is understandable given the park’s varied habitats, prolific wildlife and sprawling landscapes. A 200km road network zigzags through the park and you can chose to self-drive or embark on guided game drives. Some visitors choose to stay in neighbouring Sun City, an entertainment mega-complex with everything from 24-hour casinos to artificial beaches, and simply visit the park on day trips. To experience an authentic safari holiday you may prefer to stay in one of several luxury safari lodges located inside the park. If you find yourself in the Pilanesberg, do your best to book a balloon safari, which will see have you floating through the early morning, over the savannah plains and rocky outcrops as you track wildlife from up high.

An African safari conjures up images of elephants crossing scorched landscapes, dazzles of zebra cutting across sunlit savannah plains and slender-limbed lions prowling through the bushveld. Thankfully, South Africa’s various parks and reserves live up to even the most fantastical of these safari expectations. To get the most out of a safari during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, you should familiarise yourself with South Africa’s various wilderness areas.

Biography of FIFA President

2010-03-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Joseph S. (Sepp) Blatter was born on 10 March 1936 in the Swiss town of Visp, near the famous Matterhorn. He graduated from the Sion and St. Maurice colleges in Switzerland with a school-leaving certificate and then gained a degree as Bachelor of Business Administration and Economics from the Faculty of Law at Lausanne University. Joseph Blatter has one daughter.

Joseph S. Blatter

Country of Birth
Switzerland

Date of Birth
10 March 1936

Mother tongue
German

Other Languages
French, English, Spanish, Italian

Place of Residence
Zurich, Switzerland

FIFA Executive Member Since
1998

Occupation
FIFA President
General Secretary 1981-1998, Technical Director 1975-1981

Sports activities

Active footballer from 1948 to 1971 (played for the Swiss amateur league in the top division)
Member of the Board of Xamax Neuchâtel FC from 1970 to 1975
Member of the Panathlon Club (society of sports managers)
Since 1956 member of the Swiss Association of Sportswriters
Since 1999 member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Career Curriculum

On 8 June 1998 Joseph S. Blatter (Switzerland) was elected as the successor to Dr. João Havelange (Brazil) as the eighth FIFA President. This victory at the 51st FIFA Ordinary Congress in Paris (France) elevated Joseph S. Blatter, who had already served FIFA in various positions for twenty-three years, onto the highest rang in international football.

Mr. Blatter began his professional career as Head of Public Relations of the Valaisan Tourist Board in his native Switzerland and then became General Secretary of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation (1964). He then pursued journalistic and public relations activities in the fields of sport and private industry. As Director of Sports Timing and Public Relations of Longines S.A., he was involved in the organisation of the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games, acquiring his first taste of the international sports scene.

In the summer of 1975, as Director of Technical Development Programmes at FIFA, Mr. Blatter began to set President João Havelange's projects into motion. It was the time when ideas for competition and educational programmes were germinating and the foundations being laid for competitions in the under-20 and under-17 categories as well as women's and indoor (futsal) football, all of which are pillars of FIFA's worldwide activity.

In 1981 the Executive Committee of the world governing body designated the multilingual Blatter as the new General Secretary and in 1990 promoted him to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A total of five World Cups were staged under his auspices (Spain in 1982, Mexico in 1986, Italy in 1990, USA in 1994 and France in 1998). At the same time he played a leading role in the negotiations for the television and marketing contracts and the modern commercialisation of the FIFA World Cup up to the year 2006 alongside his predecessor in the presidency, João Havelange.

At the end of March 1998 the direct support and the interest manifested by numerous national associations from all the confederations prompted him to stand at the 1998 FIFA Congress presidential election as their candidate. Joseph S. Blatter was re-elected for a second term on 29 May 2002 in Seoul. And on Thursday 31 May, Joseph S. Blatter was confirmed, by acclamation, in the position for a third term of office.

Philosophy: football for all, all for football Joseph S. Blatter is one of the most versatile and experienced exponents of international sports diplomacy and is totally committed to serving football, FIFA and the youth of the world. The International Olympic Committee acknowledged Mr Blatter's achievements by electing him as a new committee member (the 104th) at the 109th session in Seoul on 20 June.

The FIFA President's many years of service in various domains of world football have given him the know-how and vision which are the prerequisites for steering football into the new millennium and for mastering the array of challenges in modern-day football. By setting up a permanent communications network based on state-of-the-art technology, Blatter aims to integrate not only the principal male protagonists into world football's decision-making process but increasingly also their female counterparts - women players, coaches and referees. He also aims at closer cooperation with the confederations, national associations, leagues and clubs and a more open dialogue with FIFA's economic, political, social and cultural partners.

Football is the quintessential team sport which, for the FIFA President, spells "basic education, character formation and fighting spirit, allied with respect and discipline". Reinforced by the message of fair play, this will all be instrumental in fostering better understanding among all people around the world. "Football is synonymous with theatre and entertainment and is hence an object of unequalled fascination for the media. It can even spark artistic creativity and, of course, creates many jobs. But it is above all an endless source of passion and joy. It is physical movement that simultaneously moves the emotions. It is the most popular and talked-about game in the world". That is why his motto is "FOOTBALL FOR ALL, ALL FOR FOOTBALL."

In the world's less privileged areas football is able to inspire hope and the promise of social advancement. Joseph S. Blatter intends to ensure that football makes a valuable contribution towards improving public health standards by means of relevant technical and scientific research thus proving that it plays an extremely important role in society in a variety of ways.

The immense success of football has made it a magnet for a host of economic interest groups. The FIFA President is nevertheless determined to safeguard the game's human face. Maintaining a sound balance between the manifold facets of football is what he describes as "a constant challenge and at the same time my main objective".

For many years, Joseph S. Blatter has also been committed to a wide range of humanitarian projects, since he believes that football bears a responsibility to society.

Joseph S. Blatter was the driving force behind a partnership with SOS Children's Villages that started in 1994. This organisation maintains more than 130 villages for children all over the world and it benefits from FIFA's financial and material support.

Since he was elected FIFA President in June 1998, Joseph S. Blatter has formed an alliance with the United Nations children's organisation, UNICEF, and he co-launched the campaign "Pure Hope, Pure Football", before embarking on the most recent campaign in collaboration with UNICEF on 20 November last year.

"Say Yes for Children", a campaign launched in the run-up to the World Cup, is a worldwide campaign which aims to increase awareness of children's rights. For the first time ever, the World Cup was dedicated to a humanitarian cause under the slogan of "Say Yes for Children".

Furthermore, he supported a joint project for Africa with the UN's health organisation, the WHO, called "Kick polio out of Africa". Blatter also lends aid to refugee camps by providing them with football equipment, and he and FIFA are very much committed to fighting child labour. For that reason FIFA has, under his chairmanship, signed a code of conduct with the ILO, the United Nations International Labour Organisation.

Joseph S. Blatter is also member of the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency, as an IOC representative in this important entity.