South Africa
There is an air of cautious optimism in South Africa as the country prepares for the most significant chapter of its short football history.
FIFA
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Zakumi factory ordered to stop production
A Chinese factory has halted production of Soccer World Cup mascot toys after an investigation into alleged sweatshop conditions.
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US leads the way in foreign ticket purchases for World Cup
Americans appear set to be by far the most numerous group of foreign fans coming to South Africa for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Soccer City up and running
Unlike its counterparts in Mpumalanga which have been battling to get things right at the Mbombela Stadium, Soccer City stadium is ready.
Will the pitch Mbomb?
Fears grow that the pitch at Mbombela Stadium will not be ready in time for the start of the World Cup. David Smith reports.
The test is in the tasting
Warning: Prolonged cynicism about Fifa’s intentions in South Africa can lead to all sorts of dreadful side effects.
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SA is ready for the World Cup, says Fifa
World soccer governing body Fifa on Tuesday brushed aside lingering doubts about South Africa’s readiness for the World Cup.
100 days to the World Cup
Schoolchildren will ditch their uniforms for soccer jerseys on Tuesday as South Africa marks 100 days to the Soccer World Cup.
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Fifa tighten transfer rules with new system
The Central American soccer director looked surprised when he was told that, to sell a player abroad, the fee had to be paid into a bank account.
No free World Cup tickets, warns Fifa
If you are used to getting complimentary tickets to watch local football, change the habit — Fifa will not give away free tickets for the World Cup.
Bafana tickets selling fast
Bafana Bafana will not be playing in front of open seats during the 2010 Fifa World Cup in June.
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We shouldn’t accept precedents we’ll later regret
The <i>M&G</i>’s ombud is about to place his employer in jeopardy of breaching a contract with a very powerful organisation, Fifa.
Next phase of Soccer World Cup ticket sales underway
A new round of World Cup ticket sales kicked off on Tuesday, with 400 000 tickets up for grabs on a first come, first served basis.
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Chelsea transfer ban lifted
The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) said on Thursday that Chelsea and French club Lens had settled their dispute over French player Gael Kakuta.
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Fifa says it is committed to media freedom
Fifa has reasserted a commitment to media freedom, but won’t back down on contentious conditions for accreditation of journalists for the World Cup.
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Fifa’s World Cup media rules challenged
Three of SA’s media houses have sent a submission to Fifa saying conditions it is imposing on journalists during the World Cup are unconstitutional.
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Fifa slams World Cup critics
World Cup organisers said on Wednesday they were very happy with ticket sales for June’s soccer spectacular and slammed alarmist foreign reports.
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‘No security concerns for Egypt, Algeria clash’
Afcon organisers are confident that they will avoid violent clashes between supporters when rivals Algeria and Egypt clash in Thursday’s semifinal.
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Henry escaped punishment for handball
France striker Thierry Henry will not be punished over the handball which led to the decisive goal in the World Cup qualifying playoff against Ireland
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2010 fans ‘do not need stab vests’
The LOC has slammed a company marketing stab-proof vests to fans visiting South Africa for the World Cup as "scare tactics" to profit off crime fears.
Fifa ticket sales reconsidered
The 2010 Fifa World Cup local organising committee (LOC) will reconsider the way tickets are sold to South Africans, CEO Danny Jordaan said on Friday.
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The football is in their court
With the Fifa World Cup looming for South Africa, these are the men battling for control of local footballs future after the global showpiece.
Got your Fifa tickets?
Over the counter Fifa tickets may be an option with slow sales of South African games — and the complicated application process.
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Jordaan concerned by World Cup ticket sales
Less that 100 000 tickets have been sold for fans in the six African countries competing in the 2010 World Cup finals that kicks off on June 11.
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Blatter dismisses calls for TV replays
Sepp Blatter remains adamant that TV replays will not be used to review decisions as long as he is the president of Fifa.
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‘We’re working on it’
Despite the chaos in Cape Town last Friday, World Cup organisers say all will be under control come crunch time, writes Lucky Sindane.
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World Cup ticket frenzy following draw
The World Cup final draw has unleashed a stampede for tickets, with Fifa receiving close to a quarter-of-a-million requests in 48 hours.
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SA to play Mexico in World Cup opener
South Africa will play Mexico in the opening game of the Soccer World Cup. South Africa is placed at 86th, while Mexico is ranked 15th.
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Art about balls
Fifa’s official collection of art posters for the World Cup points to the connection between the art of the game and the art of the artist.
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Roo hopes for easy draw for Bafana
Supporters of hosts South Africa will be anxious onlookers on Friday evening when the 2010 World Cup draw is made.
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France, Portugal miss out on WC seeding
The Netherlands were among the eight seeded teams announced here Wednesday for the 2010 World Cup, but France and Portugal missed out.
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Fifa snuffs Ireland’s World Cup hopes
Any hopes Ireland had of competing at the 2010 World Cup were snuffed on Tuesday with Fifa saying there was no way they would add them as a 33rd team.
