South America
South American clubs punished for breaching transfer rules
Four Argentinian football clubs and one Uruguayan club have been sanctioned by football’s world governing body, Fifa, for breaching transfer regulations.
Brazil’s World Cup preparations leave Fifa with huge challenge – Valcke
Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke has aimed another rebuke at local organisers of the 2014 World Cup, stating that delays in stadium development have left world football’s governing body with a major challenge.
NZRU chief details reasoning behind Super Rugby expansion
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew has moved to allay fears over player welfare through the planned expansion of Super Rugby, adding that new teams in South Africa and Argentina will boost broadcast revenues and enhance the development of the game.
Brazil dropped from 2014 MotoGP calendar
The 2014 MotoGP season will return to an 18-race calendar after the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) dropped a planned new race in Brazil.
Sanzar forms expansion plan for Super Rugby
Super Rugby organiser Sanzar has announced that a “preferred model” has been drawn up for the southern hemisphere rugby union competition to expand to 17 teams from 2016 through the addition of new clubs from Argentina and South Africa.
Brazil’s armed forces could aid World Cup security – Rousseff
Brazil’s President, Dilma Rousseff, has said the country’s armed forces could be drafted to help contain possible violent protests during the 2014 Fifa World Cup football tournament.
Protest threat forces Fifa to revise World Cup Fan Fest plans
Fifa is revising its plans for ‘Fan Fests’ during this summer’s World Cup in Brazil to accommodate for the threat of possible civil unrest during the football showpiece.
Curitiba survives threat of World Cup cut
Fifa has announced that Curitiba will retain its status as a host city for the 2014 World Cup after Brazilian organisers demonstrated that a “comprehensive recovery plan” was in place to deliver the city’s stadium and other infrastructure.
Castrol boosts World Cup planning with Neymar signing
Castrol has signed a one-year global brand ambassador deal with Brazil and Barcelona football star Neymar, an agreement that is set to complement the lubricant company’s status as an official sponsor of Brazil’s staging of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
World Cup organisers play down Cuiaba stadium fears
Local organisers overseeing Cuiabá’s preparations for the 2014 Fifa World Cup have insisted the city’s stadium will stage its test events as planned, amid reports that an October fire at the venue caused more damage than was originally disclosed.
UFC owner Fertitta to meet industry leaders on the future of sport
Leaders will welcome UFC joint owner Lorenzo Fertitta to London for a one-off breakfast event on March 6, when he will explore the future landscape of sport and changing behaviour of consumers.
Conmebol approves dates and cities for 2015 Copa América
The South American Football Confederation, Conmebol, has announced that the 2015 Copa América national football team tournament in Chile will run from June 11 to July 5.
Curitiba on course to avoid World Cup axe – Rebelo
Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo has expressed his confidence that Curitiba is on course to avoid being dropped as a host venue for the 2014 Fifa World Cup national football team tournament.
Kuala Lumpur to host 2014 Laureus Awards
The 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 26, following the cancellation of the planned event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Lima steps up preparations for 2019 Pan American Games
Lima 2019 has set its budget for the Pan American Games at $712m (€523.5m) and is targeting the completion of its major sports facilities before 2016.
Rio sets aside budget for Games-specific infrastructure
Organisers of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro summer Olympics announced today (Tuesday) that a budget of R$5.6bn (€1.7bn/$2.3bn) has been set aside for Games-specific infrastructure projects.
Rio raises operating budget for 2016 Olympic Games
The operating budget for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro summer Olympic and Paralympic Games has increased to R7bn (€2.2bn/$3bn), organisers announced yesterday (Thursday) evening.
Brazilian government injects more funds to avoid Curitiba World Cup axe
Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes has said the Brazilian government has implemented emergency measures to avoid the threat of Curitiba being dropped as a venue for the 2014 Fifa World Cup football tournament.