Poland under FIFA Threat
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has threatened to derail the World Cup qualification campaign of Poland, if its government does not recognize the authority of its scandal-ridden football federation, the PZPN.
The ultimatum comes after an arbitration court linked to the Polish Olympic Committee, earlier this week dismissed PZPN officials and in their place named an administrator, Robert Zawlocki, citing “numerous violations of the law.”
But FIFA and European football governing body UEFA said in a joint statement they did not recognize the court decision nor the appointment of Zawlocki.
In a letter to Michal Listkiewicz, head of the suspended PZPN board, FIFA President Sepp Blatter stated the board must be returned to full powers by noon Monday (Oct 6).
Blatter said if this is not done, Poland – which will co-host the Euro 2012 tournament with the Ukraine - will be barred from its 2010 World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Oct. 11 and Slovakia on Oct. 15.
“The internationally recognized authorities of the PZPN (federation) must be restored in the headquarters of the federation, in order to be able to adequately organize the two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches,” Blatter said in the letter.
Iraq Loses CAS Appeal
Iraq has lost its last-ditch legal bid to get back into qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected an appeal to punish opponent Qatar for using an ineligible player, saying Monday the Iraqi Football Association was late paying an appeal fee to FIFA.
FIFA said the Qatar Football Federation had declared Brazilian-born player Emerson was no longer eligible to represent its national team after major irregularities had been discovered in his documentation. Emerson is now also the subject of a criminal investigation.
Emerson was a citizen of Qatar when he helped beat Iraq 2-0 in March. But he had also played for the Brazil under-20 team using a different name.
“CAS has confirmed the decision taken by the FIFA Appeal Committee which declared an appeal lodged by the IFA inadmissible,” FIFA said.
“Although the IFA appeal to FIFA was not filed within the correct time frame, the case was thoroughly examined by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.”
FIFA added the Asian Football Confederation preliminary qualification tournament for the 2010 World Cup will now proceed as scheduled.
Sportsmark Management Group Appointed U.S. Sales Agent for World Cup
Worldwide rights holder for the FIFA Hospitality Program, MATCH Hospitality AG, has appointed Sportsmark Management Group Ltd. as its exclusive agent for the U.S.
The deal covers hospitality package sales in the U.S. for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
MATCH is the globalrights-holder until 2014.
The FIFA Hospitality Programme offers guests a wide range of services such as match tickets and facilities at the stadiums, including private suites and lounges, marquee tents, gourmet catering, preferential parking, transportation, entertainment and gifts.
“SportsMark has a strong and well developed track record around the FIFA World Cup and client activation, and this is a logical extension of our work around this incredible property,” Keith Bruce, president of SportsMark, said.
“We are excited about South Africa and the opportunity to introduce American corporations to world-class hospitality services in 2010.”
Liberia Fined
FIFA has fined Liberia $4,000 for inadequate preparation for a second leg World Cup qualifier between Gambia and Liberia in Banjul in September.
Liberia Football Association Secretary General George Williams confirmed the fine to African Press Agency.
It is the second time FIFA is imposing a fine on Liberia this year. In August, FIFA imposed a $40,000 penalty for overcrowding at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports complex in Monrovia during the Liberia versus Gambia match which resulted in the deaths of several football fans.
Written by Anthony Stavrinos
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