By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL- Belo Horizonte’s Mineirão Stadium is ready to host some of the biggest names in world football (soccer) over the next twelve months. The renovated arena was finished at the end of 2012 and has already hosted three major events to test the stadium’s efficiency at [...]
By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The city of Fortaleza, based in the Northeastern state of Ceará, has an exciting part to play in June’s FIFA Confederations Cup. The city’s Castelão Stadium, ready for the most past since the end of last year, is set to host three matches during [...]
Opinion, by Robbie Blakeley RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Seleção coach Luiz Felipe Scolari this morning announced his squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and it was refreshing to see some daring in the coach’s choices. Much debate has surrounded the possible, and previously likely, call-up of either Ronaldinho Gaúcho or Kaká. But neither has [...]
By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup kicks off in just over a month and the six host cities are putting the finishing touches to their respective stadiums, as well as preparing to receive tens of thousands of ardent football fans. On June 15th the ball [...]
By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The northeastern city of Recife is finishing off the Arena Pernambuco as it gears up for major participation during the Confederations and World Cups. The brand new stadium is estimated to be 97 percent ready and will host its first test-event on May 14th. [...]
By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – João Havelange, who was FIFA president for 24 years, has resigned from his post as honorary president over bribery allegations. The 96-year-old was left with no choice after a report explicitly explained how he and former son-in-law and CBF president Ricardo Teixeira accepted illegal [...]
By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Maracanã Stadium reopened its doors on Saturday, April 27th, 2013, for the first test-event in preparation for June’s FIFA Confederations Cup. The evening was a grand celebration for all who had helped renovate the stadium over the past two and a half years, as [...]
By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – An icon of Brazilian football (soccer), the Maracanã Stadium, is almost fit for purpose again after two and a half years out of action for renovation works. This Saturday, April 27th, is the first ever match at the refurbished international standard arena, now meeting [...]
By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Seleção (Brazilian national team) is getting ready for its first taste of competitive football (soccer) since the 2011 Copa America as the Confederations Cup beckons. Under the stewardship of Luiz Felipe Scolari, who replaced Mano Menezes last November, Seleção has just two friendlies [...]
By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter FORTALEZA, BRAZIL – Two football (soccer) fans were shot dead close to the Arena Castelão in Fortaleza on Sunday, one of the cities scheduled to host Confederations Cup matches in June. The shocking news came after fights broke out between sets of supporters from local sides Fortaleza and Ceara [...]
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