Fifa called the shots — and we said ‘yes’
Fifa president Sepp Blatter and his colleagues are guaranteed huge benefits through agreements the government signed with the football body.
Sepp Blatter
Fifa hopes Madiba will attend World Cup opener
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday he hopes Nelson Mandela will attend the opening of the Soccer World Cup next week.
Public loss, Fifa’s gain
Sepp Blatter and Thabo Mbeki intervened to have Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium built — at R3-billion more expensive than two available alternatives.
Blatter sends warning to goal-shy Bafana
Bafana Bafana have been warned they will not get past the first round of the 2010 Soccer World Cup if they keep failing to score goals.
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Bodyguards in demand for 2010 visitors
Jittery foreign visitors, including diplomats, celebrities and businessmen are scrambling to secure personal bodyguards for the Soccer World Cup.
Muffling the vuvuzela
Fifa president Sepp Blatter may have refused to entertain any talk of banning the vuvuzela but a reprieve for disgruntled fans has emerged.
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Blatter confident in World Cup security
Fifa president Joseph Blatter expressed his total confidence on Friday in security measures for the 2010 World Cup.
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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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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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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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Bafana aim for second round
World Cup hosts South Africa say they are aiming to be among the 16 best teams at the tournament next year.
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Fifa considering extra refs for World Cup
Fifa will consider having extra match officials on the field to help referees at next year’s World Cup in South Africa, Sepp Blatter said on Monday.
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Ireland wants to be 33rd World Cup team
Ireland has asked Fifa to be allowed into the World Cup as a 33rd team after Thierry Henry’s handball helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff.
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Fifa call crisis talks after qualifiers, betting scandal
Fifa has called an special general meeting following the Thierry Henry handball incident and an ongoing investigation into match-fixing in Europe.
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Blatter rates Confed Cup 7,5 out of 10
International football boss Sepp Blatter on Monday gave South Africa a 7,5 out of 10 rating for its organisation of the Confederations Cup.
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SA passes World Cup test
The Confederations Cup has served to dispel any fears or doubts over SA’s ability to stage what promises to be a memorable 2010 World Cup.
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Blatter: Confederations Cup a success
South Africa’s ability to host the 2010 World Cup was given a big pass mark by Fifa president Sepp Blatter on Friday.
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Footballers speak out against racism
A red card is not enough punishment for racist behaviour on the soccer field, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
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Obama to attend 2010 opening ceremony
US President Barack Obama has accepted an invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
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Fifa hands out free tickets to Confed Cup
Free tickets will be distributed for the remaining group matches at the Confederations Cup to help fill the stadiums, Fifa said on Wednesday.
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Blatter: Trust SA to host a successful World Cup
Fifa president Joseph Blatter has urged the world to trust South Africa to deliver a successful Soccer World Cup.
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Icasa hears submissions on TV soccer rights
The SABC can provide maximum exposure of soccer on television, but it cannot match the prices offered by private broadcasters, Icasa heard.
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Fifa boss declares 2010 ‘Plan B’ dead
Fifa president Sepp Blatter squashed talk of ditching South Africa as 2010 World Cup hosts on Monday, insisting there was ”no Plan B”.
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Blatter says Fifa secure in world financial crisis
Fida president Sepp Blatter said on Friday his organization’s finances are not at risk in the world financial crisis.
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Too many foreign owners in English football, says Blatter
The wave of foreign owners taking over English Premier League clubs is dismaying Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
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Motlanthe assures Fifa of World Cup backing
President Kgalema Motlanthe has assured Fifa of the government’s ongoing backing of the Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup.
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World Cup will be a great success, says Blatter
The 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a ”great, great success”. These were the words of Fifa president Sepp Blatter as he left SA on Wednesday.
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R140 a ticket for World Cup cheap seats
The cheapest 2010 World Cup ticket will cost R140. This was announced on Tuesday by Irvin Khoza, chairperson of the 2010 local organising committee.
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Soccer City gets thumbs-up from Blatter
Fifa president Sepp Blatter gave a thumbs-up to SA’s preparations for the 2010 World Cup when he visited Soccer City on Tuesday.
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Bafana’s blunders leave Blatter disappointed
Fifa chief Sepp Blatter says he is ”really disappointed” at the abysmal showing of Bafana, and plans some straight talking with local soccer bosses.
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Mbeki says SA’s on course to host World Cup
SA’s political climate will not deter the country from hosting a successful Soccer World Cup in 2010, President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday.
