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    Ten most iconic FIFA covers ranked after EA Sports fails to reach agreement with football governing body over game

    EA SPORTS is discontinuing its popular game franchise FIFA after failing to reach an agreement with the football governing body.FIFA 23 will be the final edition of the game before relaunching the franchise under the name EA Sports FC.
    Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe is Fifa’s current cover starCredit: GETTY
    EA Sports cited the expensive licensing agreements and strategy pivots as reasons for moving on from their agreement with Fifa.
    Fifa had reportedly demanded double the $150million (£121m) annual fee they collect from EA to renew the contract, according to The New York Times.
    The new game franchise will still feature most top football teams, leagues, stadiums and players, as EA Sports has separate licensing agreements with them.
    On the change, EA Sports executive David Jackson told BBC: “In the future our players will demand of us the ability to be more expansive in that offering.
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    “At the moment, we engage in play as a primary form of interactive experience. Soon, watching and creating content are going to be equally as important for fans.”
    Since its first release in 1993, the game has been an international classic with creative covers, realistic kits, players and gameplay.
    The game has generated more than £16billion in sales during its 30-year run.
    To mark the end of an era, SunSport ranks the top ten most iconic FIFA covers.
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    10. FIFA 14 – Lionel Messi
    Then Barcelona star Lionel Messi was the cover star for FIFA 14.
    Messi’s celebratory pose in front of a grey background and grand stadium can only see it rank tenth on SunSport’s list.
    Imagine a similar colour with the colour scheme of recent Fifa cover designs… it would most definitely find itself higher up.
    Messi was the cover star for Fifa 14 and his iconic celebration in Barca colours sees it make our top tenCredit: EA SPORTS
    9. FIFA 06 – Wayne Rooney & Ronaldinho
    Ronaldinho made regular appearances of FIFA covers in the early 2000’s.
    Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney accompanied the Brazilian trickster on the front of the game.
    The rain effect makes it unique.
    The rain effect added something unique to the Fifa 06 coverCredit: EA SPORTS
    8. FIFA 2001 – Paul Scholes
    Man Utd’s Paul Scholes as the cover star in a retro kit. Need we say more?
    Scholes in a retro kit was a cool feature. But it’s a bit bright with the white backgroundCredit: EA SPORTS
    7. FIFA 2004 – Alessandro Del Piero, Thierry Henry & Ronaldinho
    This is the last time Ronaldinho appears on this list, we promise.
    FIFA 2004 featured THREE of the world’s best players at the time.
    Juventus’ Alessandro Del Piero, Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and of course Ronaldinho.
    The action poses are a nice touch.
    Ronaldinho in his Brazil colours is a nice touchCredit: EA SPORTS
    6. FIFA 97 – David Ginola
    A majestic front cover featuring a majestic player in David Ginola.
    Only downside – but arguably making it more iconic – is the missing badge.
    Absolute class.
    Ginola starred on the front of a simple but effective Fifa 97 coverCredit: EA SPORTS
    5. FIFA 99 – Dennis Bergkamp
    The Flying Dutchman, Dennis Bergkamp, in an iconic Arsenal kit added some needed colour to the cover.
    A nice shot of a wizard with the ball under his spell.
    A Bergkamp action shot with real life crowds is something not seen often in Fifa coversCredit: EA SPORTS
    4. FIFA 2000 – Sol Campbell
    An interesting choice of cover star in Sol Campbell, with the central defender picked ahead of the usual strikers.
    Simple but effective with the colours.
    It’s also nice to see an action shot of the player looking at the ball instead of staring off into the distance.
    Campbell was a random cover star but the Fifa 2000 edition makes SunSport’s top fourCredit: EA SPORTS
    3. FIFA 18 – Cristiano Ronaldo
    This is Cristiano Ronaldo’s first and only appearance in SunSport’s FIFA top ten cover list.
    The passion on Ronaldo’s face is authentic. He plays with his heart on his sleeve.
    Dark background brings the gorgeous Real Madrid kit into focus.
    Ronaldo wears his heart on his sleeve and his passion is brilliantly on displayCredit: EA SPORTS
    2. FIFA 2002 – Thierry Henry
    Thierry Henry appears on our list again.
    FIFA 2002 brings into focus another iconic Arsenal kit from the early 2000’s.
    At that point in time, Arsenal were one of the teams to beat.
    A proper pose from the electric forward.
    Henry got his own solo feature on the front of Fifa 2002Credit: EA SPORTS
    1. FIFA 2003 – Roberto Carlos, Ryan Giggs & Edgar Davids
    The undisputed champion of FIFA covers is the 2003 edition of the game.
    It featured Roberto Carlos, Ryan Giggs and Edgar Davids.
    Davids’ iconic goggles had to appear on this list somewhere… they simple had to.
    The seriousness of the players’ poses almost draw a potential buyer into a staring contest. Screams, ‘what are you waiting for? Buy me already’.
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    Carlos and Giggs have Icon cards on Fifa’s latest edition but Davids doesn’t. Maybe it’s time to introduce the former midfielder.
    They’ve also brought out Hero cards for the likes of Joe Cole and Antonio Di Natale. Surely he can be given one of those?
    The Fifa cover list wouldn’t be complete without Davids’ iconic gogglesCredit: EA SPORTS More

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    Premier League teams fear Champions League changes could hurt their cash windfall from TV rights deal

    PREM clubs fear the proposed changes to the Champions League could adversely impact top-flight TV deals.Uefa look set to confirm the 36-team competition will award two “coefficient places”, rewarding sides who missed out domestically but have the best Euro record over the previous five years.
    Steve Parish believes the changes to the Champions League are designed to give the big clubs what they wantCredit: Getty
    Crystal Palace supremo Steve Parish called it “Super League by the back door”.
    And his worries are shared, with clubs arguing the new system will amplify the current financial and sporting dominance of the Big Six — and make it harder for other clubs to catch up.
    If the top-four race loses its importance, the extra fear is that the broadcasters will decide the loss of the “jeopardy” element no longer justifies huge broadcast deals. This could mean a decline in income for all 20 clubs.
    Fifa’s last resort
    Fifa chiefs are working on ANOTHER plan to try to prevent “agreed” last-game results in the 2026 World Cup group phase.
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    Switching to a 48-team tournament, with 16 groups of three in the first round, raised concerns that teams drawn to play each other in the final match could come to unofficial arrangements to ensure both progress.
    Penalty shootouts after every drawn group game — in a tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and US — are one idea.
    Another option would see group winners stay in the same city for their second round, last-32 tie, rather than risk having to travel up to 2,500 miles and potentially cross THREE time zones.
    Plans for the 2026 World Cup are still being drawn upCredit: PA:Press Association
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    Wembley to host “Finalissima”
    Uefa’s link-up with South America was formalised by opening a joint London office.
    Wembley will host the sold-out “Finalissima” between Euro 2020 winners Italy and Copa America champions Argentina on June 1.
    And it is now planned to play an annual play-off between the winners of the Uefa Youth League and their South American counterparts, with a potential 50,000 crowd in Uruguay’s Centenario in Montevideo.
    Wembley is set to host the “Finalissima” between Italy and Argentina on June 1Credit: Getty
    Radrizzani to help Fifa streaming
    Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is playing a major role in Fifa’s planned delivery of 40,000 free live games per year worldwide.
    His sports media company Eleven will deliver the Fifa+ service to provide the new platform’s content.
    Wonder how many old films of Marcelo Bielsa’s teams he will be able to find?
    Andrea Radrizzani’s company Eleven will provide the Fifa+ streaming serviceCredit: Reuters More

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    What is Fifa+, how can I stream it, can I watch for FREE?

    REJOICE football fans, for Fifa+ is here for your entertainment.That’s right, the world’s most popular sport’s governing body has launched a streaming service which will allow fans to watch plenty of football-related content.
    Fifa+ will feature plenty of 2022 World Cup related contentCredit: PA
    In a move which looks similar to that of Netflix’s, Amazon Prime’s and DAZN’s, the brand-new platform should entice fans all across the world.
    But Fifa+ is not exactly the same as those famous streaming platforms.
    “FIFA+ represents the next step in our vision to make football truly global and inclusive, and it underpins FIFA’s core mission of expanding and developing football globally,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
    “This project represents a cultural shift in the way different types of football fans want to connect with and explore the global game and has been a fundamental part of my Vision 2020-2023. It will accelerate the democratisation of football and we are delighted to share it with fans.”
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}TEAM STREAM .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Fifa launch streaming platform Fifa+ to show 40,000 live matches this year
    Here’s everything you need to know…
    How can I watch Fifa+?

    Fifa+ was first launched on April 12, 2022 and is ready for football fans to use now.
    The best way to access it is by visiting the Fifa+ website.
    You can also live stream content from the Fifa+ app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    Is Fifa+ FREE?

    Yes, Fifa+ is completely FREE for football fans to use.
    Not only that, but a subscription isn’t required for you to view any of the content on their website.

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    What is there to watch on Fifa+?
    Here’s a brief list of what you can currently watch on Fifa+:

    Ronaldinho: The Happiest Man in the World
    Captains: Season 1. It features Luka Modric (Croatia), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Brian Kaltak (Vanuatu), Andre Blake (Jamaica), Hassan Maatouk (Lebanon) and Thiago Silva (Brazil)
    Croatia: Defining a Nation
    HD Cutz – London barber Sheldon Edwards talks to Paul Pogba, Antonio Rudiger and Aaron Wan-Bissaka among others
    Dani Crazy Dream – An intimate documentary about Dani Alves featuring his transfer to Barcelona and conversation with manager Xavi Hernandez
    Golden Boot – A look at the greatest goalscorers in football history, including Wayne Rooney, Gary Lineker and Ronaldo Nazario
    Icons – A look at the best players in the women’s game with Wendie Renard, Lucy Bronze, Asisat Oshoala, Carli Lloyd and Sam Kerr involved
    Academies – The best academies, with Anderlecht featured in episode 1 More

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    Fifa launch free streaming platform Fifa+ and reveal plans to show more than 40,000 live matches this year

    FIFA have announced the launch of its very own FREE streaming service.The new digital platform, titled Fifa+, will be broadcast around the world and will host a variety of content from live matches to documentaries.
    Fifa+ will launch with a documentary about Ronaldinho’s life and careerCredit: Getty
    Fifa president Gianni Infantino says Fifa+ will “accelerate the democratisation of football”Credit: Getty
    To start the service will be available in five languages – English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese – with six more languages to be added in June.
    Fifa estimate 40,000 matches will be shown live on the platform with the potential to stream World Cup matches on Fifa+ too.
    That includes 11,000 women’s matches with 1,400 to be streamed in the first month after launch.
    As well as live events, viewers will also be able to access a range of documentaries at no cost thanks to Fifa’s extensive archive.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BLUES NEWS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Pagliuca BREAKS silence on Chelsea takeover plans – Real Madrid build up
    Eight Fifa+ Originals have already been confirmed, with one documenting the life of football legend Ronaldinho, featuring interviews with Lionel Messi, Frank Rijkaard and Carles Puyol.
    Also included is a documentary on Croatia and their rise to becoming a global powerhouse when they reached the 2018 World Cup final.
    Other documentaries include a look at club academies, the famous barber to footballers like Paul Pogba – Sheldon Edwards – and a series focusing on six national team captains – Luka Modrić, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thiago Silva, Brian Kaltak, Andre Blake, and Hassan Maatouk.
    Fifa’s archive also gives fans access to replays of historic matches and goals with more than 2,500 videos dating back to the 1950s available from launch.
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    Speaking ahead of the launch, Fifa President Gianni Infantino said: “Fifa+ represents the next step in our vision to make football truly global and inclusive, and it underpins Fifa’s core mission of expanding and developing football globally.
    “This project represents a cultural shift in the way different types of football fans want to connect with and explore the global game and has been a fundamental part of my Vision 2020-2023.
    “It will accelerate the democratisation of football and we are delighted to share it with fans.” More

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    Trials to shorten football matches to just 60 minutes could begin this month and spark radical rule changes

    RADICAL plans are in place to trial 60-minute football matches.And the first hour-long games could take place THIS MONTH.
    The prospect of 60-minute games will come too late for ref Mike Dean, who retires at the end of the seasonCredit: PA
    According to the I, the Portuguese Football Federation want to use the new format for the U23 Revelation Cup.
    Each half would be 30 minutes in, but actual ‘game time’ would not be affected.
    This is because the clock would only run when the ball was in play.
    This kind of system is currently used in rugby.
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    But there is still one major obstacle to overcome – the green light from the International Football Association Board [IFAB].
    They are responsible for implementing and overseeing the rules of the Beautiful Game.
    Reportedly they are yet to even discuss the proposals let alone allowed the trial to take place.
    Research carried out by the CIES Football Observatory discovered that in 90-minute games, the ball was in play for just under 60 minutes.
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    This was from games in 36 leagues across Europe from the start of the 2018-19 season.
    The Premier League average for in-play football was 60mins 59secs, placing them ninth of the 36 leagues studied.
    The Eredivisie of Holland was top at 63mins 21secs with the German Bundesliga bottom on 58mins 46secs.
    Fifa were forced to deny there were talks to extend games to 100 minutes for this summer’s World Cup.
    Corriere dello Sport carried the story, but Fifa released a statement that “there will be no changes to the rules regarding the length of football matches for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 or any other competition”. More

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    Fifa want World Cup every THREE YEARS despite Gianni Infantino’s failed plan for biennial tournament

    WHEN it comes to the World Cup, you can’t keep a bad idea down.No sooner had Gianni Infantino admitted defeat in his plan for a World Cup every two years, than he started up the alternative.
    Gianni Infantino wants a World Cup every three yearsCredit: Rex
    Now the Fifa president is seeking to hold the greatest show on Earth every THREE years as part of a 36-month tournament cycle.
    Under the new Infantino blueprint, year one would see his expanded, 24-team, Club World Cup.
    The middle summer would bring continental championships, such as the Euros and Copa America. And year three will be dominated by the World Cup.
    Infantino hinted at the idea after last week’s congress of the 211-member associations in Doha, arguing it was “important to do something . . . whether it’s a World Cup every two years or every three years”.
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    Fifa insiders were pointing to that line as the next battleground with Infantino aware of the backlash.
    But as he pointed out in Doha: “We could have gone for a vote and got a majority.”
    Get ready for another massive fight, just as everybody has taken off their gloves.
    Laureas contenders
    BRITS Emma Raducanu, Tom Daley, Mark Cavendish and Sky Brown are all in the frame when the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards are held in Seville on April 24.
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    US Open champ Raducanu is a favourite for the Newcomer prize with Manx Rocket Cavendish in line to be handed the Comeback gong.
    Emma Raducanu is well-placed to win a Laureus awardCredit: Getty
    Daly a wet thing
    THE torrential rain that turned Augusta ­National into a lake put a ­dampener on John Daly’s money-making plans.
    ‘Wild Thing’ Daly, the former Open and USPGA champion, has set up camp for Masters week in the parking lot of the local Hooters restaurant to sell merchandise.
    But with patrons sent home before 11am on Tuesday ahead of the almighty flood, Daly was struggling to get his head above water. And on his fourth marriage at 55, he sure has some bills to pay.
    John Daly’s plans have taken a hitCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Clarke left in the dark
    SCOTLAND and Wales are waiting on Fifa to confirm IF the World Cup play-off semi-final with Ukraine at Hampden will go ahead.
    Fifa must set the dates for that match and the final against Wales to decide the last remaining spot alongside England, Iran and the USA in Group B in Qatar.
    While Scotland are aware of the delicacy of the situation and want to play Ukraine as planned, manager Steve Clarke needs to know his side’s precise summer schedule with four Nations League matches to be played in June too.
    It means Fifa realistically have until the first week of May to determine if Ukraine can play at the start of the following month or withdraw, meaning the Scots will go through to the final in Cardiff.
    Steve Clarke is still waiting on news from UkraineCredit: PA
    Merger scrapped
    THE planned merger of the Belgium and Dutch top divisions has been junked.
    Top-flight teams from both countries voted in March 2021 in favour of the scheme to create a “BeNeLiga” worth up to £350million a year in TV rights.
    But clubs in Holland have now put their clogs into the scheme, arguing the renewed competitiveness of Eredivisie sides in Europe renders the need for the new league redundant.
    Erik ten Hag’s Ajax won’t be playing Belgian teams in the leagueCredit: Getty More

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    ‘I really want to cry’ – Fifa President Gianni Infantino reveals devastation over Italy failing to reach World Cup

    FIFA president Gianni Infantino “really wants to cry” after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup again.The four-time winners looked on course for a play-off showdown with Portugal for a spot at Qatar 2022.
    Italy lost at home to North Macedonia to end their hopes of qualifying for Qatar 2022Credit: Getty
    Gianni Infantino was desperate for the Azzurri to be there after missing the 2018 tournamentCredit: Getty
    But Roberto Mancini’s side were stunned 1-0 by North Macedonia in their home semi-final after a 92nd-minute winner from the minnows.
    That ensured the Azzurri would miss a second World Cup in a row – despite winning the Euros just 257 days earlier.
    Infantino was born in Switzerland but his parents are migrants from the Italian regions of Calabria and Lombardy.
    And the Inter Milan fan, 52, revealed his sheer devastation at Italy’s absence this winter.
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    He told Rai Sport: “I really want to cry.
    “For all the Italians it is sad, it is the second World Cup in a row in which the Azzurri do not participate.
    “And if they qualify for the next World Cup it will be 12 years of absence.”
    By the time the following World Cup comes around in 2026, Italy will have won just ONE match in the 20 years since lifting the trophy in 2006.
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    And, typically, that was in Brazil in 2014 as Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli scored past England’s Joe Hart.
    Infantino added: “I think back to when I was a kid, the emotions of watching the World Cup in 1978 and 1982, these are the things that make you fall in love with football.
    “It’s sad for the Italian children, but this is the situation, only 32 can qualify and the World Cup is every four years. For now…”
    The World Cup will expand to 48 teams for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
    But despite his hint, Infantino confirmed Fifa had scrapped plans to stage the biggest global competition every two years.
    He continued: “Let me clarify one thing here – and I want to speak about some of the discussions and speculations on a biennial World Cup.
    “Fifa has not proposed a biennial World Cup.
    “Let’s get the process clear. At Congress last year, 88 per cent of associations asked us to study the feasibility of that and some other projects.
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    “Fifa, under Arsene Wenger, did that. We studied the feasibility. But Fifa did not propose anything.
    “Fifa came to the conclusion that it was feasible but would have repercussions and an adverse impact.” More

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    ‘Unacceptable ways and consequences’ – Norwegian FA president calls out Fifa for giving World Cup 2022 to Qatar

    NORWEIGIAN FA president, Lise Klaveness, has called out Fifa for allowing Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup. The Middle Eastern country were handed the World Cup in 2010 despite controversy surrounding the country’s human rights record.
    Klaveness blasted Fifa for handing Qatar this year’s World CupCredit: GETTY
    Klaveness walks away after her speech criticising Fifa’s Qatar decision, which she says has ‘unacceptable consequences’Credit: AP
    Treatment of migrant workers has also been an issue for Qatar and there are concerns from the LGBTQ+ community ahead of the winter tournament.
    And at the 72nd FIFA Congress, Klaveness blasted Fifa’s 2010 decision to award the Gulf State this year’s World Cup.
    Klaveness said: “In 2010, the World Cup was awarded by Fifa in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences.
    “Human rights, equality, democracy, the core interests of football, were not in the starting XI until many years later.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}WORLD CUP DRAW .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}All the info on draw for Qatar 2022 World Cup
    “These basic rights were pressured on as substitutes, mainly by outside voices.
    “Fifa has later addressed these issues, but there is still a long way to go.
    “The migrant workers injured or families of those who died in the build-up to the World Cup should be cared for.
    “Fifa, all of us, must now take all necessary measures to really implement change.
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    “There is no room for employers who do not secure the freedom and safety of World Cup workers.
    “No room for leaders that cannot host the women’s game.
    “No room for hosts that cannot legally guarantee the safety and respect of LGBTQ+ people coming to this theatre of dreams.”
    Klaveness’ comments were not well received by some, with Honduras FA president Jorge Salomon claiming that “it is not the place” to discuss such issues.
    And the Qatar World Cup’s top organiser, Hassan Al Thawadi, has accused the Norway FA president of failing to educate herself on the country’s human rights record.
    He said: “Madam president, you visit our country and made no request for a meeting.
    “You did not attempt to contact us and did not attempt to engage in dialogue before addressing Congress today.
    “I urge everybody, we have always been open for dialogue.
    “We have always welcomed constructive criticism, criticism that is based on discussion, understanding the issues and understanding the context of the issues and the progress of the facts on the ground.
    “We will always have our doors open for anybody who wants to understand the issues, who wants to educate themselves before passing any judgement.
    “On that note, I would like to inform yourselves, as well as the Norwegian Federation and anybody who has doubts about the legacy of this World Cup, that this World Cup is creating legacy.
    “We are creating legacy before a ball has even been kicked. The International Labour Organisation has described Qatar’s reforms as historic.

    “The International Trade Union Confederation considers Qatar’s updated laws as a benchmark for the region.
    “The Building and Woodworkers’ International has compared the safety standards on World Cup sites as equal to those in Europe or North America.
    “Remember that a number of these entities that I have mentioned were at one time outspoken adversaries of ours but through taking time to understand the complexities of the situation on the ground and through a shared commitment to improving lives, those who were once adversaries became allies and partners.” More