Saturday, August 17, 2013

Where to find a ticket to the World Cup to be held in Brazil in 2014?



Air tickets in order to follow the World Cup 2014 in Brazil are on sale recently.

Here are estimates of the duration of the flight and the cost of the ticket, but the World Cup will bring more ticket prices will go up.

Where to find a ticket to the World Cup to be held in Brazil in 2014?


Airline tickets to Manaus
5200 km separating Paris and Manaus, the flight time is approximately 7:30 pm
Price of a ticket to / about 1850 €

Airline tickets to Fortaleza
6900 km apart and Fortazela Paris, the flight time is approximately 9:50 pm
Price of a ticket to / about 1080 €

Airline tickets to Natal
6950 km separating Paris and Natal, the flight time is approximately 10 h
Price of a ticket to / 1200 €

Airline tickets to Recife
7200 km separating Paris and Recife, the flight time is approximately 11 h
Price of a ticket to / about 1100 €

Airline tickets to Salvador
7780 km separating Paris and Salvador, the flight time is approximately 12 h
Price of a ticket to / 750 €

Airline tickets to Cuiaba
8840 km separating Paris and Cuiaba, the flight time is approximately 18 h
Price of a ticket to / 2700 €

Airline tickets to Brasilia
8700 km separating Paris and Brasilia, the flight time is approximately 15 h
Price of a ticket to / about 1100 €

Airline tickets to Belo Horizonte
8870 km separating Paris and Belo Horizonte, the flight time is approximately 12 h
Price of a ticket to / about 1080 €

Flights to Rio de Janeiro
9190 km separating Paris and Rio de Janeiro, the flight time is approximately 12 h
Price of a ticket to / about 1100 €

Airline tickets to Sao Paulo
9075 km separating Paris and Sao Paulo, the flight time is 11:30 h
Price of a ticket to / about 1000 €

Airline tickets to Curitiba
9375 km apart and Curituba Paris, the flight time is 12:15 h
Price of a ticket to / 1200 €

Airline tickets to Porto Alegre
9850 km separating Paris and Porto Alegre, the flight time is approximately 15 h
Price of a ticket to / about 1100 €

Last update of this page July 10, 2013

The price of the organization of the 2014 World Cup Brazil scalds



One year after the World Cup football in Brazil and during the Confederations Cup, demonstrators marched through the country for social reasons. In particular, they pointed to the exorbitant cost of the 2014 World Cup, while part of the population struggle for access to education and health.

The price of the organization of the 2014 World Cup Brazil scalds


In 1950, Brazil who played the final of the World Cup in the legendary Maracana stadium had lost to Uruguay. And it was true trauma country football. Sixty-three years later, a portion of the population is angry over the prohibitive favorite this new World Cup. The disappointment of the lost final now seems a faint memory for citizens who speak more "football business".

The protests that began in Sao Paulo against price increases in public transport, for several successive days, and the Brazilian government will send the National Force, an elite police body to ensure safety in six cities that organize the Confederations Cup. Last Monday, 250,000 people beat the pavement to protest against the extravagant expenditures for the organization of the World. Even players of the Brazilian Selecao, Dani Alves, Hulk and David Luiz, have expressed their solidarity with Brazilian "the people."

Confederations Cup and the World are expected to cost 11 billion euros in Brazil. Since the assignment of these two events by FIFA, the Brazilian government had repeatedly revised upwards the price of the organization, particularly because of the delay in the construction of infrastructure.

And the figure of 11 billion euros should be probably exceeded by June 12 2014, kick-off. Is currently about 57 euros for each of the 194 million Brazilians. For example, the legendary Maracana stadium to cost 449 million euros after two and a half years of renovation. Double the original estimate.

Corruption at the heart of the World 2014

After years of political and financial scandals, protesters denounce corruption and took to the street without claim to a political party or a trade union. In an interview with L'Equipe Magazine, Romario, world champion with the Selecao in 1994, became a member in 2011, gave a bleak picture of the current situation: "This will not be the World Cup of the Brazilian people, because the people will not afford the tickets. It is also the people who will pay the bill after the World Cup (...) in Manaus, Natal and Cuiaba, which no longer have the time to make bids, they will come in time of emergency . (...) This is done on purpose to steal more money! "

Already two years ago, in Brasilia, the site of the train from the airport to the south of the federal capital had been arrested for fraud in the tender. The renovation of the Maracana was tarnished by a case of jars of wine on one of the companies in charge of the work and the Minister of Sports. Even the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) was not spared. The all-powerful boss of Brazilian football, Ricardo Teixeira, and organizer of the 2014 World Cup, had been targeted by a series of corruption charges and resigned. At the time, Romario was welcomed on his Facebook page that Brazilian football is "cured of cancer."

The President of the International Football Federation, Joseph Blatter, says that football "is stronger than the dissatisfaction of the people." It is not certain that the Brazilians who have decided to take to the streets hear this message.

Tickets for the World Cup sold from August 20



FIFA and the organizing committee for the World Cup in Brazil presented Friday, July 19, in a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, the way the 2014 World Cup tickets will be sold. Kickoff marketing exclusively online on Tuesday, August 20.

Tickets for the World Cup sold from August 20


The announcement regarding the mode of sale and ticket prices for the 2014 World Cup was highly anticipated, one month after the protests that disrupted the Confederations Cup in Brazil. Especially since this announcement, originally scheduled for July 1, took place three weeks late.

Very pleased with the way tickets were sold for the Confederations Cup, Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director, showed great optimism in time to announce the marketing policy adopted by the International Federation. On 19 July 2013, he carefully detailed measures for the Brazilian public, including the lowest strata.

Specifically, tickets will be sold exclusively on FIFA.com site in two phases. The first from August 20 until October 10. The second, from December 8, after the draw for the finals scheduled two days earlier in Salvador de Bahia. Applications will be drawn without any preference, in order of arrival.

Preferential rates for Brazilians

Regarding prices, four tariff categories were created. The fourth, the cheapest, is exclusively the Brazilian public. It covers 400,000 tickets, just for the first round. A special rate for the most disadvantaged social groups, as well as for students and seniors, even provided with tickets starting at 11.50 euros (7,500 CFA francs).

For non-Brazilian residents, the cheapest rates in the category 3 reach 69 euros (45,000 CFA francs) for the first round, 167 euros (110,000 CFA francs) for the opening match and up to 334 euros for the final. As for the most expensive tickets, they go up to 753 euros (495,000 CFA francs) for the final on July 13 at Maracana stadium. (See full price list)

Substantial price but, according to FIFA, should not deter fans from coming. These are expected to number in a country with substantial tourist attractions.

2014 World Cup The price of tickets



The 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup, organized by FIFA, will be held in the summer of 2014 in Brazil. The competition will run from 12 June 2014 to 13 July 2014, with 32 teams and 64 games in 12 Brazilian capitals.

FIFA owns all of the tickets available for the event, unveiled July 19, 2013 Information on classes, prices and the three phases of sales that will be fully realized through the web page of the entity .



2014 World Cup The price of tickets
2014 World Cup The price of tickets
During the first phase, the sales will be conducted from August 20 to October 10, 2013. If the number of applications received per game and category exceeds the number of tickets available, a lottery will be conducted to determine the lucky ones. The actual sale, according to the order of arrival, will be held from November 5 to 28, 2013.

The second phase will begin after the draw hens, the announcement is scheduled for 8 December 2013. Registration for the sale of tickets by lottery will be open from December 8 to January 30, 2014 and the sale will take place from December 26 to April 1, 2014.

The third and final phase of ticket sales give you the opportunity to purchase the last hour of the April 15, 2014 until the final date of the tournament on July 13, 2014.



Quotas tickets



Approximately 10.4% of the seats will be unavailable. The total capacity of the tournament is about 3.3 million places from which 10.3% will be allocated as follows: 1% for accompanying persons with disabilities, 2.2% Media 1.65% people with participated in the construction of stadiums, 1.65% to local authorities, 2.8% to the national federations and courtesy tickets offered by FIFA and finally 1.1% for VIP and VVIP guests of FIFA, who include Heads of State and Government.



Ticket prices


Ticket prices vary depending on the category and the competition phase.

400,000 tickets for the category 4 (upper level forums) will be reserved in priority for receiving legal reductions for elderly Brazilians, students and beneficiaries of Bolsa Familia (Family Grant program called social).

Prices vary from category 4 60 reais (except for the opening where the price is 160 reais) to R $ 330 ($ 147) for the final. Seniors, students and beneficiaries of Bolsa Familia will be entitled to a 50% or 30 reais (about $ 13) for the first prize.

These "social notes" the cheapest in the recent history of the World Cup. International fans will be entitled to the fee schedule from 1 to 3. Tickets will cost $ 90 for the group stage (with the exception of the opening to $ 220) to $ 990 for the final category 1.

World Cup 2014 tickets between 70 and 750 euros



The price of tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is known. It will vary between 70 and 750 euros. It'll just make your savings go to support our Devils.

The price of a ticket for the World Cup-2014 will be between $ 90 (70 euros) for a match of the group stage to 990 dollars (750 euros) for the final at the Maracana stadium in Rio, FIFA announced Friday.
World Cup 2014 tickets between 70 and 750 euros
World Cup 2014 tickets between 70 and 750 euros



The first three phases of sales will start on August 20 at 12:00 (Belgian), said in a statement instance, with two rate schedules, one for Brazilian residents, another with slightly higher prices for foreigners .

The notes are divided into three categories for foreign fans in four Brazilians, the fourth category offering tickets at attractive rates between 15 and 82.5 dollars (between 11 and 63 euros).

For example, tickets for the opening match June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo Itaquerao stadium cost 495 dollars (375 euros) in category 1, 330 (250 euros) in category 2 and 220 dollars (170 euros) in category 3. Tickets for the final July 13, 2014 at the Maracana will cost 750 euros in category 1, category 2 500 euros and 335 euros in category 3.

In total, three million tickets will be sold during the three phases, of which 30,000 will be reserved for people with disabilities, said FIFA.

Brazilian World Cup will take place in twelve cities and 600,000 foreign tourists are expected by the authorities.

Why Should You Visit Brazil For the 2014 Football World Cup?



Largest country in South America and 5th largest country in the world, Brazil is one of the most dynamic countries in the region. With booming metropolis, an extraordinarily rich culture, and warm, hospitable people, Brazil is among the top destinations to visit in South America. Whether you're looking to soak up the sun on some of its glistening beaches, explore the lush rainforest, or discover Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo's vibrant cultural life, you won't be disappointed by what the country has to offer.

So much so that Brazil received international recognition when it was granted the honor of hosting the 2014 Football (or soccer for the Americans among you) World Cup. This event, taking place every four years, is one of the most awaited worldwide. Millions and millions of people gather for a few weeks to socialize as they watch the world's best football teams affront one another.

We know it seems far away from now, but 2014 is right around the corner and everyone is already getting ready to participate in any way they can. Flights prices are expected to increase drastically and hotels will be overbooked before you know it. Right now is the ideal time to prepare your trip to Brazil to discover what the magical atmosphere of a World Cup is.

This will be the most expensive World Cup in the history of the event, so be prepared to be dazzled! Over one billion dollars have been engaged in the preparations, with stadiums renovated, others built, and gigantic celebrations foreseen. In addition to this, millions will be spent to upgrade or built the necessary basic infrastructure or the country to be able to host such a large competition and welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Qualification rounds will start at the end of July 2011, and no one knows who the lucky teams will get the chance to travel to Brazil to participate in the event. As of now, Brazil is the only team assured to play, qualified de facto for hosting the games.

Over 12 cities will be involved in the World Cup, hosting games and ceremonies, including Brasilia, Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia, and Sao Paulo. It's the second time for Brazil to host the championship, making it the 5th country in the world to have hosted it twice. It's also the first time the event is taking place in South America since the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. These are only a few reasons why this is already a historic event that will no doubt capture the attention of the entire planet.

The final and of course most enthralling game between the world's two best football teams will be held in the famous Maracaña Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The stadium also hosted the decisive game during the 1950 Cup.

This guide to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was written by a Brazil travel expert at Brazil For Less, leading travel agency specializing in customized Brazil tour packages.

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All About The World Cup Soccer Tournament



Soccer is one of the largest, most watched sports in the world. It is a sport that has no boundaries, cultural or international, and as such, the World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world. It only happens once every four years, and that only helps boost it's popularity. To grasp how large it is, in 2006, FIFA estimates over seven hundred million people watched the final match of this tournament. To put it into perspective, that's twice the population of the USA.

The World Cup is one of the few sporting events that is played globally. As so many teams are from so many different countries, this makes the location of the event very important. FIFA tries to alternate the hosts between countries in Europe and the Americas. Historically, it has been held in many participating countries, from Brazil, to Italy, to the United States, to Germany, as well as many other countries. It has been scheduled in Brazil in 2014, in Russia in 2018, and in Qatar in 2022.

The World Cup has a diverse and interesting history. The foundations were being laid in the early 1900s, with FIFA being founded in 1904. FIFA's initial desire was to arrange a tournament for countries outside of the official Summer Olympics, but did not have true success in breaking away from the Summer Olympics for a few decades. In 1928, FIFA decided to stage a world championship under its own name, with no Olympic attachments, and after much planning, the first ever world cup was held in Uruguay. After the first FIFA World Cup tournament, soccer during the Summer Olympics dropped in popularity and people started to focus more on FIFA's tournament. The World Cup ran smoothly until World War II, when the games were put on hold due to the short and long term effects of the war. They resumed in 1950, after a twelve year hiatus and have been happening every four years without incident since.

As far as how the tournament works, it is a pretty straightforward process. The world is divided into six regions: North and Central America, Africa, Asia, South America, Oceania, and Europe. There are regional qualifying tournaments in each of these areas and a predetermined number of winners from each region are sent to the actual World Cup, where there are thirty two teams. The teams then go through two stages, the group stage, followed by the knockout stage. From there, one team is determined the overall winner.

To learn more about the World Cup Brazil please visit this link!

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Brazil's Growth and Opportunity



Brazil, now firmly on the tourist map has had numerous tips to becoming the place to holiday and live in the years to come. As part of the infamous BRIC economies, Brazil is seen as a powerhouse for the future. The Amazon basin and all that goes with it are rarely out of the news, but when you are deemed the lungs of the earth it is hardly surprising.

On Sunday 31st of May 2009, Brazil celebrated winning the host country for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and all the publicity and tourism that it will bring. This World cup effect will keep Brazil in many peoples minds for many years to come. Natal and Recife in North East Brazil have been named as two of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup and so bringing a massive boost to those areas and beyond.

On top of this great sporting event Brazil did it again by its winning bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The IOC deemed it suitable and it will be the first time it has been hosted in South America. This football-mad society has a lot of infrastructure and planning to achieve over the next 6-7 years.

Brazil will now have to deliver on its proposals and meet the expectations of two very strict governing bodies. As such construction will play a massive part in getting ready for these two events. Apart from the stadiums and sporting arenas, accommodation for athletes and tourists will need to be built to cope with demand.

The property market in Brazil started attracting more foreigners in recent years and so there have been a succession of new development being built along the North East coast of Brazil to cope with demand. Many local Brazilians like to holiday on the beach, so developers have tapped into this market as well.

Many host cities of big sporting events in the past have seen real estate price increases due to demand and investors taking advantage of getting in early. Even though at present we still have global economic uncertainty it is forecast that Brazil's property prices will rise significantly over the next 10 years, which is hard to ignore if you are a medium term investor.

Land in Brazil is also a business that has been growing over the past few years. Brazil is not in short supply of good land that is not rainforest and so developers have been buying it up and selling it onto investors, so that they can build villas in the future and add value to their investment.

One such company has been marketing its new Coral Lake and Beach Resort for under a year and is offering plots of land for sale in the Flexeiras area 1 hour from Fortaleza in Ceara.

The development aims to be a sustainable development staying clear of the urban jungle developments further down the coast. It principals will encompass:

Beautiful landscaped gardens that will compliment the natural surroundings and blend in
Low density, low-rise villas and buildings
Rainwater/grey water harvesting and wind power utilisation will add to the sustainability of this development
The official Coral Lake and Beach Resort site. Also please find a video of the Coral Lake and Beach Resort on QIK here.

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Friday, August 16, 2013

Benefits of Hosting World Cup Soccer



The FIFA World Cup is an amazing international event held every four years. Fans from all over the world descend on the host country bringing with them an outpouring of color, passion, energy, and culture. The world game is a wonderful accolade to the country that plays host plus the event holds much promise to global broadcast, tourism, and injection of millions of dollars into the economy.

FIFA the international governing body for soccer (football) requires the host nation to comply with detailed regulations and specifications including security, transport, accommodation, training facilities, opening and closing ceremonies, marketing, promotions, ticketing, insurance, and other administrative matters.

Are there financial risks worth hosting such an event? Infrastructure issues (like airports, roads, stadiums, and public transport) for hosting such an event are usually among the major complications. When Athens hosted the Olympic Games in 2004, its budget went from US$1.6 billion to US$16 billion: Beijing in 2008 went from US$1.6 billion to around US$40 billion. London's price tag for the 2012 games has blown out from US$5 billion to around US$20 billion. So far, South Africa is estimated to have spent US$5 billion and FIFA US$1.1 billion on preparations before the kick-off of the 2010 World Cup.

Potentially millions of dollars from tourists are injected into small businesses, hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, tours, and transport from hosting the FIFA tournament. However, the costs associated with a significant influx of visitors is the provision of security to fans and all the teams, counter-terrorist activities, policing racial sensitivities, and purchase and installation of high-tech monitoring equipment.

The revenue from the sale of tickets to the games if not achieved would back fire on the host country as it may take years to recover the outlay for hosting such a global event. History will determine the success of hosting the FIFA tournament. The global exposure of this world event may benefit the host country and its local suppliers/industries in years to come.

The study of a US economist on the historical experience of host nations since 1954 revealed that in 7 of the 13 tournaments since 1954, economic growth has been slower in the World Cup year than in the two years leading up to the event. On the other hand, 9 of the 13 host nations since 1954 has shown faster economic growth in the 2 years following the event.

What the FIFA World Cup does is that it brings the world together through competition fostering cross-cultural interaction and international understanding. In a world plagued by wars, racism, and religious intolerance, the FIFA World Cup contributes to universal brotherhood, whose benefits to humanity is impossible to quantify.

Around 6 billion people watch the Olympics but this is pale in comparison to the 26 billion who is estimated to watch the FIFA World Cup.

South Africa is hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June to July. The next FIFA World Cup will be held in June to July 2014 in Brazil, a nation who was crowned the world champions in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.

For a comprehensive schedule of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, go to:

[http://www.worldcupsoccersite.info].

All 32 teams who qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup are discussed and analyzed in detailed.

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Brazil in the FIFA World Cup



FIFA, which stands for Federation Internationale de Football Association was founded in the year 1904. Today it is known as Football world cup. The competition is held between the national football teams of the countries who are the members of FIFA. The history of the FIFA World Cups till date will be incomplete if Brazil is taken out from it. The matches played by the country have created sensation and have taken the standard of the tournament to a new high. Though the game was started by the English but this is also a fact that the Brazilians have given it a new definition.

Till date seven countries have won the champion's title till date. Out of these seven countries Brazil is the only country who has participated in all the tournaments and has also been the winner for five times. Besides being the winner for five times, Brazil has reached till semi-finals in three tournaments and also became the vice champion in two.

As Brazil is the only country to have participated in all the FIFA World Cup tournaments till date, the is fondly called "The Little Canary" by its fans. In the following tournament which is to be held in 2010 in South Africa, Brazil team will be a big challenge to all the other teams, as the team has really worked hard and improved its game even better. It is in full josh to face the challenge.

The 2014 FIFA world cup tournaments are decided to be held in Brazil itself. The country has hosted the tournament previously in 1950, when it reached till final but lost to Uruguay in the finals. The country won the bid for 2014's tournament against the other countries like Argentina, Colombia and Chile. The decision has given nightmares to the other teams as it will be a real tough job to defeat such a strong team on their homeland.

Visit website to know more about World Cup 2010 and World Cup 2014.

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FIFA Save The World Cup - Implement These Five Rule Changes For Soccer Before 2014



Soccer is now showcasing its twelfth World Cup event in my lifetime; this is the first one that I've watched. I confess that I'm no expert in soccer. However, as a lawyer with more years of experience than I'd care to remember, I am an expert on rules. I know bad rules when I see them, and soccer's got plenty of them.

I realize that I'm writing in futility since everything I've read about FIFA describes it as a lumbering bureaucracy that moves at the speed of erosion. Worse, reports are that FIFA is enjoying the controversy, happily viewing all of the talk about bad officiating through the prism of "there's no such thing as bad publicity".

FIFA's wrong. Soccer can't grow in such an environment. New fans won't put up with games being decided by referees. Also, soccer, unlike baseball, does not need publicity through controversy, scandal, and conflict. Soccer can keep its world-wide popularity on the merits of the game alone, that and the fact that soccer's so cheap to play. After all, to start a soccer game, all you need is a field, a ball, and a ridiculous set of rules.

I also understand that FIFA won't change the rules until Adidas, McDonald's, Budweiser, and Nike tell them to. But in the wake of the worst refereed major sporting event since Wrestlemania, perhaps it's time for discussion about new ways for soccer to be officiated. I have a growing appreciation for the game, particularly it's sudden action and speed, the latter being an element that still eludes American professional sport and its break-in-the-action pace.

Despite my growing appreciation for the game, however, the 2010 edition of the World Cup has lead me to the conclusion that soccer is a great sport but one not living up to its potential due to betrayal by its rules, officials and governing body. Watching FIFA and the referees smothering soccer's untapped potential is as frustrating as watching a jockey choke out a great thoroughbred.

As the kettle of game-altering bad calls gets added to with each round, followed by the inevitable shrug of the shoulders by FIFA, it's hard to know where to begin reform. My vote is to start on the field of play. And the best place to start there is to change the rules so that they ask less of the officials and return the games' outcomes to the athletes.

1. First and foremost, change the damn offside rule. The offside rule in soccer stands as the single most absurd rule to have ever appeared in organized sport. The problems with the rule are myriad. On a conceptual level, it is the only rule where one team can control a boundary on the field. Incredibly, the defending team's players can actually make an opponent offside by simply running forward when the pass is made. This defensive "play" fails to exhibit any athletic skill, ends real scoring chances that are precious in soccer, and looks foolish. Boundaries on a sports field should be fixed and immovable.

Practically speaking, the offside rule requires the referee's assistant to watch too many events at one time, events that are separated by distance and which occur in a split second. For a typical pass into the penalty area, which is where the most controversial blown calls occur, the official must see the passing player pass the ball and simultaneously see the location of the receiving player and compare that position (at the time of the pass) with the position of defending players. Since the offside boundary is constantly moving, the official often has to make this call while himself moving, a further complicating factor. If the official happens to be up field or down field from this moving line, his ability to accurately make the offside call is severely compromised.

Since there commonly exists distance between the passing and receiving players, it is physically impossible for an official to see both simultaneously. To call the play correctly then, the official would need independently operating eyes, a benefit not yet conferred on us by evolution. Thus, the existing offside rule can only be called reliably by lizards, horses, or Marty Feldman. Little wonder that replays consistently show the call on the field to be incorrect.

The solution? Borrow from hockey. Soccer should create a fixed line on the field. Draw a line ten yards out from the top of the penalty area. Once the ball is advanced over that line, the offsides rule would cease to apply. All passes would be legal. For passes started beyond the line, the offsides rule would still control. This rule would be much easier to call thus reducing critical blown calls. The rule would also increase the excitement of the game through more scoring chances, particularly on sets into the box from out wide.

2. Allow replay on goals. There is nothing more frustrating for a fan than watching a blown call on a score. In soccer, a blown call on a goal is game-changing. Such blown calls strain the patience of hard core fans and turn off new ones. FIFA's stubbornness and complete unreasonableness on this basic issue only exacerbates fan frustration and anger. People support athletics to be entertained by great athletes, not outraged by bad officiating. If you put on a sporting event and the fan comes away feeling cheated and angry, you've failed as a governing body and started the clock on your sports demise in prestige.

Technology has given the fan the ability to see the truth about a goal on the screen, whether it be television or smart phone, and the truth is a powerful force. FIFA refuses to employ such technology at great cost to the game. Fans won't repeatedly swallow a fiction about "keeping the game pure" as justification for not using such technology when the truth is playing out on a screen right in front of them.

FIFA needs to use goal line technology and allow coaches, like the NFL, to have replay challenges on goals. If FIFA won't pop for goal line cameras, at least stick a volunteer behind the net as a goal judge. The NHL has goal judges for all of its games. It is preposterous for FIFA, in soccer's equivalent of the Super Bowl, to rely upon officials standing twenty or thirty years away to have the final and only say on goals.

3. Allow free substitutions. Even the most ardent soccer fan must admit that play can get pretty ragged in the second half as the players tire. Nothing good accrues to the sport from having fans watch tiring players run around a field. To borrow from hockey again, allow the teams to freely substitute players in and out during the game, even allow changes on the fly. Such a rule would underscore the talent and athleticism of the players. Consider how much more exciting and fast-paced the game would be throughout if it were contested by rested athletes playing on fresh legs.

4. Stop the clock during injuries and goal celebrations. Why leave the amount of lost time during the game to the referee's discretion? Just stop the damn clock. Delays caused by goal celebrations and injuries prejudice the team that's behind. How many times have you watched your team be down and lose minute after minute of critical game time to the other team's players rolling around on the field with exaggerated injuries? There's no point to making the referee approximate stoppage time which is usually inadequate, just let him stop the clock.

5. Don't make a red-carded team play short-handed. Isn't an ejection and free kick punishment enough? Making the penalized team also play short-handed for the balance of the game is giving one foul too great an effect on the final score. The call becomes destiny for the penalized team. The rules should allow the penalized team to substitute in a new player.

This World Cup has been a watershed event. Soccer needs to grow from all of the bad calls stemming from all of the bad rules. One final suggestion in vain to FIFA, leave soccer's rule-making to the Americans. We're better at rules than the Europeans. We think about them a lot, change them often, debate them all the time. We built a pretty decent society on a good set of rules. You ask Europeans to think up rules and they come back with fascism, poll taxes, and the Stamp Act. We'll handle it. We defeated communism; we can defeat that other global menace, the offside rule.

Howard F. Burns, Esq. is a real estate, business, and employment litigation attorney in San Diego, California.

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Belgium to Win the 2014 World Cup



Well, the South African World cup just ended and it was a huge thrill. Two nations who had never won the world cup went to battle out in the final. There were many surprises and disappointments such as the Ghanian team and the French team respectively. However leaving that all behind, let's fast forward to and the next world cup in Brazil. So who will win the world cup.

It's easy to say that Brazil with their home advantage and the project and their stars will easily when this. Apart from them, there is Argentina with Maradona and their stars, Spain and others like France with some good potential. But a team that people do not look at like an European powerhouse may be the center of attraction in 4 years is Belgium. The team that finished second in the 1980 Euro possessing players like Enzo Schifo, the magician, Eric Gerets and Jean Marie Pfaff. The were a team that was reckoned in the 80s. Ever since they have slipped down till 2002 when a team led by Marc Wilmots almost upsetted the Brazilians in the round of 16, if not of very debatable referring where they were refused two goals.

After that unfortunate event Belgium has been looked at like a team like Wales that knows football but is not feared of that much. However, this is soon to end with the advent of serious talented players, amongst the most talented youngsters in the world if not the most talented. Eden Hazard, Moussa Dembele, Lukaku, Defour, Witsel, Fellaini, Kompany, Carcela Gonzalez or even Thomas Vermalen. Never has a team been filled with such talented players aged between 18 to 24 like Belgium.

Taking each player individually, let's start with Hazard. Hazard the 19 year old who plays for Lille, with his name meaning danger in English, really is serious danger. The lad who Zidane absolutely wants at Real Madrid is destined to be one our next ballon d'or. He is incredible at what he does with the ball. At just 19, he is the pillar of the LOSC and has won two successive young player of the year titles. He played 52 games last season scored 10 goals and gave 9 assists. He has got all teams on the leach for him as he will certainly be the next Messi. A great thing about him, his personality. A very down to earth player, who has never taken all the praise to his head. He has it in his mind that he has to keep on working and does not want to leave Lille too early.

Lukaku, is a huge best. At just 16 he was already terrorizing defenders in Belgium and Europe. He is a 1m 92 cm giant and plays for Anderlecht. He scored 19 goals in 45 games last season and is Chelsea's new craving for the future.

Defour is the Steven Gerrard of Standard Liege. They guy who can do everything. He was captain of the team since he was 19 and is still 21. He has also led the team to the past year champions league. He plays alongside with Wistel.

Moussa Dembele, the AZ striker is one of the top rated strikers in the dutch league. At 22, he has the ability to dribble, score, serve. He is the ultimate package. He like his Belgian friends is highly demanded on the transfer market.

Players like Kompany who plays at Manchester City, Vermalen and Fellaini who are becoming household names in the premier league but at the age of 25 or 26 only are other players who will easily gel with the emerging talents, to form on of the best team Europe will see in the years to come.

Anyway, before the 2014 world cup Belgium will have to show its worth in the Euro 2012 where the will have to qualify from a group including Germany, Turkey and Austria. In the meantime, I will continue searching on the internet for a website that will take my bet for Belgium in 2014.

[http://announceschool.com]

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Ten Top Corporate Hospitality Events For 2014



Experiencing the thrill of top level sport with your clients is a sure-fire way to cement productive long-term business relationships. You should always look to match up your clients with the event that you think will be most appealing to them, and in 2014 there is a huge range of top class corporate hospitality events to choose from. Here's ten of the best:

Six Nations Rugby 2014

Following the comprehensive collective triumph of the British and Irish Lions in Australia in 2013, hostilities will be resumed amongst the home nations, France and Italy in early 2014.

England will be looking to build on a solid campaign in 2013, with home fixtures at Twickenham against Ireland on 22nd February and Wales on 9th March. Current champions Wales open their campaign against Italy at the Millennium Stadium on 1st February, whilst Scotland have a tough start against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on the following day.

As always, the Six Nations is bound to provide high drama, and it would be a brave pundit to tip the winner in a tournament that always provides its fair share of surprises.

British Grand Prix 2014

Witnessing the thrills and spills of Formula 1 has to be one of the most exhilarating experiences for any sports fan. After the chaos and controversy of 2013, which saw Nico Rosberg win the race amidst the carnage of tyre-related crashes, fans will be expecting another classic.

Can one of the British drivers end a poor run of results for the hosts, with Lewis Hamilton's 2008 victory the sole 'home' triumph in the last 13 years, or will foreign drivers continues to dominate?

Whatever the outcome, clients are always blown away by experiencing one of the most glamorous events in sport, in the lap of luxury in one of Silverstone's famed hospitality suites.

England v India Test Series and One Day Internationals 2014

Taking place throughout the summer, England take on India in a five match Test series, complimented by five One Day Internationals and a T20 clash.

With England riding high in the world Test rankings, Alastair Cook's men should start as favourites for the series against their talented opponents. Current 50 Over World Champions India will fancy their chances of winning the One Day series, with their destructive batting line-up and canny bowlers particularly brilliant in this format.

It's a mouth-watering match-up for cricket fans, and the series results should go a long way to deciding who sits atop the world rankings in the different formats.

FIFA World Cup Finals 2014 in Brazil

Hosted by 5 times winners Brazil, the most successful country in the competition's history, the World Cup Finals in the summer of 2014 will surely be amongst the most colourful in the history of the sport.

Graced by some of the greatest players to have ever played the game, the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andreas Iniesta will hope to inspire their countrymen to glory in the big one. Spain, Brazil and Germany will start as the likeliest winners, but the history of the World Cup is littered with big name exits and triumphant minnows, whilst perennial underachievers England will be looking to improve on recent big tournament form.

Wimbledon 2014

The nation breathed a huge collective sigh of relief in 2013 after Andy Murray finally laid to rest Britain's Wimbledon hoodoo by becoming the first home Men's Singles Champion since Fred Perry in 1936.

Murray's brilliant demolition of World Number 1 Novak Djokovic in straight sets will live long in the memory, and he is sure to be one of the hot favourites to retain his crown. In the women's game there has been a marked improvement in British fortunes with young starlets Laura Robson and Heather Watson surging up the rankings over the last couple of years.

The addition of the retractable roof on Centre Court means that hospitality clients for the biggest games are guaranteed play even in the worst of conditions. The hospitality on offer at Wimbledon is legendary, and enjoying one of the world's premier sporting events in style is an experience that your clients will never forget.

The Ryder Cup 2014

Taking place in September at Gleneagles in Perthshire, the competition returns to Scotland for first time since 1973.

The Ryder Cup is arguably the most passionately contested competition in golf, with a history of epic battles in recent decades. When last held at Medinah in 2012, the Europeans were at one point 10-4 down against the USA, before a miraculous comeback saw them pip the hosts by 14 ½ points to 13 ½ on an unbelievable final day of drama.

The USA, captained by legend Tom Watson, will be desperate to improve on their recent record, with the Europeans triumphant in 7 of the last 9 clashes. European captain Paul McGinley will be hoping to continue a superb 'home' record, with the USA failing to win on European soil since their 15-13 triumph at The Belfry over 20 years ago.

The Ryder Cup is, quite simply, golf at its most captivating.

Cheltenham Race Festival 2014

The Cheltenham Festival is the jewel in Jump racing's crown, with 27 top class races spread over 4 days, including the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Rightly regarded as the blue riband event on the National Hunt calendar, the Festival attracts nearly a quarter of a million visitors each year, with total wagers in excess of £600 million being placed.

Equine legends such as Kauto Star, Best Mate, One Man and Big Bucks have all performed heroically in recent years, and new superstars Sprinter Sacre and Hurricane Fly are following in their footsteps.

With a wide variety of entertainment off the track, including award-winning restaurants, top bands and celebrity speakers, the Festival is without doubt one of the great social occasions in Britain today.

Henley Royal Regatta 2014

Situated on one of the most picturesque stretches of the River Thames, Henley Royal Regatta is the best known regatta in the world. For over a century and a half it has been both one of the highlights of the summer sporting calendar and the social season.

The very essence of an English social event, the Regatta attracts thousands of visitors over a 5 day period, with spectators captivated by over 200 races of an international standard, including Olympians and world record holders.

Aside from the rowing, visitors can take in the ambience, enjoying the splendour within the Enclosures, with fabulous hospitality facilities which are sure to impress guests.

Held in the first week in July, the Henley Regatta is the perfect place to welcome the start of the summer, with the opportunity to take a cruise down the Thames with your clients.

The Commonwealth Games 2014

After the triumph of the London Olympics in 2012, world class athletics returns to Britain in July and August for the 20th Commonwealth Games which are being hosted by Glasgow.

The likes of Mo Farah, Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis-Hill and David Rudisha will all be looking to strike gold again, with a few world records sure to be under threat. On top of all the drama of the athletics, there are 16 other sports taking place including cycling, boxing, swimming and gymnastics.

Historically the top of the medals table has been dominated by England and Australia, and that seems the likely outcome again. This is a rare chance to see some of the world's greatest athletes performing in a top class competition, and is something we might not witness again in Britain for a while.

The Open Golf Championship 2014

The Open is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf, first being held in 1860.

The most recent winner Phil Mickelson won the 2013 Championship at Muirfield after a superb round of 66 on the final day, the best of the entire tournament, took him surging past the field to win by 3 strokes.

The 2014 Open is taking place at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake, the 12th time this has happened, the most recent being in 2006 when Tiger Woods triumphed for the last time in the competition.

Entertaining golfing fanatic clients at the Open is superb, as not only is the action world class, but you also have plenty of quality time together in luxury facilities. Perhaps an Englishman will finally triumph in the Open, for the first time since Nick Faldo in 1992.

Gala Events are a leading UK corporate hospitality company based in Birmingham, providing a variety of corporate sports hospitality packages at all of the major sporting events.

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