Fifa

FIFA has confirmed the stadium air conditioning WAS switched off for England’s bore draw with the USA.But World Cup chiefs insist they were simply following the policy that has been in place throughout the Qatar 2022 tournament.
England players were feeling the heat as they drew 0-0 with USACredit: PA
The Al Bayt Stadium does have the option for the air conCredit: Getty
The groundbreaking climate technology in place at seven of the eight World Cup venues – the exception is the dismountable Stadium 974 opposite the towering skyscrapers of Doha’s West Bay – allows tournament bosses to ensure the same temperature on the pitch at every match.
However, some England players are understood to have complained that they felt much hotter during the match at the Al Bayt Stadium than during the 6-2 thrashing of Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.
But senior Fifa figures confirmed to SunSport that there were no issues with the air-conditioning and that the procedure that has been in place throughout the tournament was followed.
It was agreed before the tournament that all stadium conditions would be considered on a match-by-match basis.
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However, there was an understanding that, in the air-conditioned grounds, the 1pm and 4pm kick-off matches would have the climate set at 24 degrees Celsius.
To ensure consistency, final temperature readings and measurements are taken at the start of the game.
But for the later matches, starting at 7pm and 10pm, Fifa agreed that the air-conditioning would be turned off an hour before the start of play, as long as the stadium temperature at that point was below the 24 Celsius threshold.
Those conditions were met on Friday, when the outside air temperature at kick-off was around 26 Celsius, but only after the air-conditioning had been on for a number of hours ahead of the game to bring the desert heat down.
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There is no question of any complaint being submitted by the FA.
But if England do win Group B they would potentially play their first three knock-out matches back at Al Bayt, all kicking off at 10pm Qatar time. More

FIFA is investigating the Serbian football team after players left an offensive message to Kosovo in their World Cup dressing room.A picture circulated online shows a provocative flag hung between two lockers amid escalating tensions between the Balkan states.
The words No Surrender’ were written across an outline map of Kosovo, a former province of Serbia
Serbian fans held the same flag in the stands while watching their team’s defeat to Brazil on ThursdayCredit: EPA
The flag was draped across lockers belonging to Serbian players Milos Veljkovic and Andrija Zivkovic in their dressing room during the World Cup.
It features an outline map of Kosovo filled in with a the national flag of Russia-backed neighbour Serbia.
Over the top were the words “No Surrender.”
The flag was also held up by Serbian supporters during the Brazil v Serbia match on Thursday November 24.

In 2008 Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, but the ally of Russia refuses to recognise it as an independent country.
Kosovo’s sports minister, Hajrulla Ceku, complained to Fifa about the photo.
He said: “Disgraceful images from Serbia locker room, displaying hateful, xenophobic and genocidal messages towards Kosova, while exploiting Fifa World Cup platform.
“We expect concrete actions from Fifa considering that the Kosovo Football Federation (FFK) is a full Fifa and Uefa member.”
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The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) submitted a formal complaint to Fifa on Friday.
It said: “Such acts of chauvinism have no place in a sports event, and even less inside the facilities where the biggest event of world football takes place.”
It also called for “sanctioning measures against actions that incite hatred between peoples and are against human values.”
Its statement continued: “It is unacceptable for this act to pass in silence, therefore we strongly request that Fifa strictly implement its rules and punish the football federation of Serbia for this aggressive action and against the values ​​that football conveys.”
Today Fifa said it had charged Serbia citing a section of its disciplinary code covering misconduct including “offensive gestures, signs or language”.
The world governing body said: “The Fifa disciplinary committee has opened proceedings against the Football Association of Serbia due to a flag displayed in their dressing room on the occasion of the Brazil v Serbia.
“The proceedings were opened on the basis of article 11 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and article 4 of the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2022.”
The FFK also said today: “The World Cup is an event of joy and unity and should send messages of hope and peace, not messages of hatred. We call FIFA to take action against such actions.”
Serbia, who lost 2-0 to Brazil, are due to face Cameroon in their next match on Monday November 28.
Its football federation has not commented so far.
Last week we told of fears Vladimir Putin’s brutal war could become the backdrop for a wave of violence between Kosovo and Serbia.
Peace talks failed to defuse a bitter row over car licence plates, leaving the region “on the verge of conflict.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that the failure to resolve the long-running issue may spark fresh “violence” 23 years after the brutal Kosovo war.
And Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic warned of “hell on the ground” if Kosovo does not back down in the dispute.
The row came to a head after Kosovo declared a deadline for cars in the majority-Serbian north of the country to re-register cars with Kosovan plates.
And while seeming petty, the move has sparked fury in Belgrade.
At least eight fire bombings have already taken place against Kosovan Serbs who exchanged their Serbian plates for new ones complying with the law.
Kosovo has backing from Nato – but that has not stopped the tensions with Serbia.
Russian authorities continue to defend Serbians rebelling against Kosovo’s government, and say Pristina authorities are deliberately escalating tensions.
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Kosovo and Serbia previously clashed in the Balkan Wars, with the most bloody conflict between 1998-1999, leaving 14,000 dead and thousands missing.
Nato intervened to stop the bloodshed and the province was split in 1999 before declaring independence in 2008.
Andrija Zivkovic during Serbia’s World Cup clash with Brazil in QatarCredit: Getty
Milos Veljkovic was also in action in the defeat to Brazil on ThursdayCredit: Rex
Tensions are running high between the neighbouring Balkans states More

FIFA have labelled Cristiano Ronaldo a “total genius” for the “smart” way he won a controversial penalty in Portugal’s World Cup opener.Ghana boss Otto Addo was outraged by the soft spot-kick that Ronaldo converted to become the first player to score at five World Cups.
Cristiano Ronaldo slumped to the floor under a gentle challenge from Mohammed Salisu to persuade referee Ismail Elfath to give a penaltyCredit: AP
Ronaldo tucked in the spot-kick to become the first player ever to score at five World Cups, putting Portugal on the way to a 3-2 win vs GhanaCredit: Alamy
Legend Ron tumbled all too easily under the challenge of Mohammed Salisu but Fifa claim it was a perfect example of strikers getting smarter” in their thinking and movement.
The historic goal from the Manchester United discard sparked a 3-2 victory.
And Sunday Oliseh, from Fifa’s technical study group (TSG), believes Ronaldo, 37, should be “complimented” for it.
Oliseh told a briefing in Doha: “Maybe the strikers are getting smarter?
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“The Ronaldo penalty, people can say what they want about him, but the smartness to wait for that second, to touch the ball, continue his leg and then get the contact. That is total genius.
“Let’s give strikers the compliment for getting smarter. 
“VAR is also a major reason why this (more penalties being awarded) is happening. Referees can look at it three or four times.”
Ronaldo flew to the floor out of all proportion to the slight touch he seemed to get from Southampton defender Salisu.
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And Addo said: “I think the referee didn’t make the right decision… He gave a penalty which was not a penalty – everyone saw that.
“Why? Because it’s Ronaldo or something?
“If someone scores a goal, congratulations. Congratulations – with special gifts from the referees. The referee was not in our favour.”
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger spearheads TSG, which is examining every match in Qatar for trends and stats.
Nine penalties have been awarded in the first 20 games.
That suggests the previous record of 24 spot-kicks in World Cup group ties – set in Russia four years ago – could be beaten.
Ronaldo certainly had no qualms over celebrating his hotly-debated spot-kickCredit: AP More

SPURNED World Cup sponsor Budweiser will demand their pound of flesh from Fifa after the late beer in-stadium U-turn.Owners ABInbev agreed an estimated £95m deal to continue as the official beer suppliers to the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico – up £30m from the Qatar agreement.
There will be thousands of leftover Budweiser following the late U-turn on salesCredit: Getty
That was on the basis of a 48-team and 80-match tournament across the three countries.
But it is expected Budweiser will now demand a massive reduction in lieu of taking legal action against Fifa for breach of contract.
And the blow will be eased further when Fifa confirms early in 2023 that the opening phase will now consist of 12 groups of four teams rather than the planned 16 groups of three, meaning a 104-match World Cup.
That will offer the brewery a further 24 matches with exclusive sales rights at the stadium plus the likelihood of extra official Budweiser-catered Fan Festivals across the three host nations.
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Fans were set to be able to drink £12-a-pint beer in the venues at Qatar 2022 before tournament chiefs reversed on their promises at the 11th hour.
That leaves Budweiser with thousands of crates of beer that cannot be sold.
So the company vowed to give all the leftovers to the winning country at the World Cup.
It means supporters can only purchase alcohol at the official FanZone.
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Furious, regular fans are being forced to pay almost the same amount as the richest visitors to Doha.
The USA team are among the VIPs staying at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski Hotel in the swanky Pearl district.
A bucket of six 33cl cans of the official tournament tipple is on sale in the hotel’s sports bar for £51.20 – so £8.5 per can, or 26p per cl.
In the FanZone, it’s £11.62 for a 50cl can – so 22p per cl – in much less luxurious surroundings. More

GERMANY sent a defiant message to Fifa with an iconic team photo ahead of their World Cup opener against Japan.Hansi Flick’s side were one of the seven European nations that planned on wearing the One Love armband.
Germany’s players covered their mouths for the team photo in a united stanceCredit: EPA
Gianni Infantino was in the stadium to see the protestCredit: Getty
German FA chief Bernd Neuendorf talks to Nancy Faeser as she wears the One Love armbandCredit: Getty
Faeser had the armband out just a couple of metres from InfantinoCredit: Reuters
The armband has been used as a message of support and unity, especially for the LGBTQ+ community with England, Wales, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland and Denmark also set to join with Team DFB.
However, Fifa made a last-minute decision to ban the accessory – and threatened captains with yellow cards or even one-match suspensions prompting a U-turn from all seven countries.
It means captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer walked out with the regular generic ‘No Discrimination’ version instead.
But Germany’s starting XI still made a protest of their own ahead of kick-off in Qatar.
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The 11 stars, including Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and wonderkid Jamal Musiala, lined up and all covered their mouths with their right hand – as if to say they have been silenced by the tournament organisers.
That includes Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who was in the stadium to witness the silent stand first hand.
Like Alex Scott on Monday, German Federal Minister of the Interior and Community, Nancy Faeser, showed her support by wearing the One Love armband inside the ground – and even as she sat right next to Infantino.
The German and Japanese players also wore training tops with rainbow colours on the sleeves for the warm-up at the Khalifa International Stadium – while Neuer’s World Cup boots feature the colours too.
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The official Team DFB Twitter account posted: “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect.
“Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.
“It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable.
“That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us.
“Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.”
German manager Hansi Flick spoke of his dismay over the armband saga in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. 
🗣 “It’s a gesture and it’s a start… They say they’ve been silenced but by who? Use your voice! Wear the armband! We always say leadership is about action!@IanWright0 & Roy Keane discuss Germany’s pre match stand pic.twitter.com/bMDRFBQCy3— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 23, 2022

He said: “About the One Love armband, together with the German FA and other countries, the German team wanted to do this and to take a stand.
“But now Fifa have threatened us basically with sanctions. The associations that played on Monday (England and Wales), it was very short notice.
“If you want to run a campaign like this together, you should stick to your decisions.”
Ian Wright praised the Germany players as “fantastic” for the global gesture in the ITV studio at half-time.
But Roy Keane encouraged them to go further and show leadership by actually wear the One Love armband for a match.
Keane said: “It’s a gesture and it’s a start but I think they can do more.
“They say they’ve been silenced but by who?
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“They’re the players, the most important people in football.
“Use your voice! Wear the armband! Stand up! We always say leadership is about action! Go and do it!”
The silent protest comes after Fifa’s U-turn on the One Love armbandCredit: Reuters
Manuel Neuer wore the Fifa armband insteadCredit: Getty
Assistant referee Zachari Zeegelaar made a beeline to check itCredit: EPA
Neuer sent a message with his choice of boot coloursCredit: Reuters
Germany’s warm-up tops with rainbow colours on the sleevesCredit: Getty More

DENMARK are planning talks with fellow Uefa members over potentially QUITTING Fifa. They were one of seven nations, including England and Wales, planning to wear One Love armbands before backing down over the threat of yellow cards.
Denmark held a press conference on Wednesday morning announcing they were considering leaving FifaCredit: Reuters
Denmark are ready for talks with Uefa’s 55 member states, which includes England, to quit Fifa after the One Love armband rowCredit: Alamy
Former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt wore a blue dress with rainbow-colored sleeves as she watched Denmark vs TunisiaCredit: AP
Danish FA (DBU) chairman Jesper Moller said Denmark were considering leaving Fifa and are ready for talks with Uefa’s 55 member nations, which includes England.
They are willing to discuss a blanket withdrawal from the world governing body.
The DBU delegation expressed their “anger” at the way Fifa threatened sporting sanctions for the seven captains planning to wear the One Love armband.
Denmark will not formally support Fifa chief Gianni Infantino in his bid to be re-elected as president.
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Moller said: “There are presidential elections in FIFA. There are 211 countries in FIFA and I understand that the current president has statements of support from 207 countries.
“Denmark is not among those countries. And we’re not going to be either.”
On leaving Fifa, he said: “It is not a decision that has been made now. We have been clear about this for a long time. We have been discussing it in the Nordic region since August.
“I’ve thought it again. I imagine that there may be challenges if Denmark leaves on its own. But let us see if we cannot have a dialogue on things.
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“I have to think about the question of how to restore confidence in FIFA. We must evaluate what has happened, and then we must create a strategy – also with our Nordic colleagues.”
Alongside Denmark, England and Wales, Germany, France, Belgium, and Switzerland had all planned for their captains to wear One Love armbands in Qatar.
The armbands promote inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights, with same-sex relationships illegal in Qatar.
But the seven skippers were warned by Fifa that they faced a yellow card as a “minimum” punishment for wearing the armbands.
DBU chief CEO Jakob Jensen said: “On November 21, England asked for an emergency meeting with FIFA, who came to the English hotel. FIFA said it would at least give a yellow card.
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“There has been discussion about whether there is a legal basis for giving a yellow card, but there is.
“The penalty could have been a yellow card, that the captain had not come on the pitch or that he was given a ban.” More