FIFA has decided that six countries across three continents will co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030. However, many, including former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, are not very happy with the idea.
Sepp Blatter, who was one of the most powerful men in soccer, was acquitted of defrauding FIFA by a criminal court in Switzerland, alongside French soccer great Michel Platini.
The soap opera that is sports always rivets for what takes place on the battle field. But often times the stories that take place far away from the pitch are just as unique and special. They make for some interesting conversation and add an element to the world of sports that moves into the social, political and economic realm.
This year featured a number of off-pitch events that continued to elevate the dynamics of soccer and add new elements that are rarely discussed. As part of our Best of 2014 feature series, writer David Salazar and Edwin Molina look at two off-pitch events that really brought the soccer conversation to a new level.
Brazilian legend Ronaldinho signs with Queretaro of Liga MX and is met with both open arms and a racial slur by a former Mexican politician, Seattle Sounders clinch MLS Playoff berth and aim for the Supporters Shield, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber is interested in replay challenges for the league.
Global financial services company Credit Suisse believes Qatar would only suffer short-term economic consequences if they were to lose the rights to host the 2022 World Cup as FIFA's bribery investigation against the desert nation winds down.
Convicted soccer match fixer Wilson Raj Perumal talks about his experiences with betting and bribing. He believes that FIFA has the power to stop a lot the manipulation that is taking place in the soccer world.
