Qatar 2022: Exclusive Interview with Bid Inspection Project Manager

 
FIFA awarding the World Cup to Qatar in 2022 has certainly caught the imagination of the footballing public. For the first time ever the competition will make its way to the Middle East, where a vast untapped footballing community awaits with baited breath.

Jon Sinigaglia was Project Director for the FIFA pre-qualification bid inspection of Qatar and was an integral member of their winning bid team.

Here he exclusively answers my questions about Qatar’s plans, ambitions, and ability to host such a prestigious tournament and about the legacy they wish to leave behind.

Mohamed Bin Hammam Resigns From Presidential Election On The Eve Of FIFA Ethics Questions

Mohamed Bin Hammam has sensationally pulled out of the race to become the next President of FIFA, leaving Sepp Blatter as the only candidate left in the field ahead of the June 1st election.

The withdrawl comes just hours before the 62-year-old was due to face the FIFA Ethics Committee over allegations of collusion between his bid team and members of CONCACAF ahead of the 2022 election.

Bin Hammam is the current head of the Asian Football Confederation and masterminded Qatar's bid for the 2022 World Cup.

Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United : Highlights From the 2011 Champions League Final

Barcelona, inspired by the magnificent Lionel Messi, has beaten Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League Final in Wembley tonight. But in truth, La Blaugrana destroyed the Premier League champions in one of the most one sided finals of all time.

The game saw four fantastic goals scored as Pedro and Wayne Rooneyexchanged efforts before Lionel Messi and an inspirational goal by David Villa gave Barca the trophy their dominance and play deserved.

Barcelona Are The Best Team We Have Ever Faced - Sir Alex Ferguson

In the aftermath of his teams destruction by Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League Final, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has declared Pep Guardiola's team as "the best team I have ever faced."


La Blaugrana beat the Red Devils in a one sided affair in 2009. Last night was more of the same as bar an opening ten minute salvo, Barca dominated the game from start to finish with a sublime showing of their footballing philosophy.

"Nobody's given us a hiding like that but they deserve it," Ferguson said in reference to the difference between the two teams.

Beautiful Barcelona and Mesmerising Messi Give Man Utd a Lesson in Football

Barcelona, inspired by the magnificent Lionel Messi, has beaten Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League Final in Wembley tonight. But in truth, La Blaugrana destroyed the Premier League champions in one of the most one sided finals of all time.

The game saw four fantastic goals scored as Pedro and Wayne Rooney exchanged efforts before Lionel Messi and an inspirational goal by David Villa gave Barca the trophy their dominance and play deserved.

EPL Survival Sunday Review and Champions League Preview Podcast: Hold the Back Page!

Hold the BackPage - Everyone to Juve by bpfootball

The Hold the Back Page podcast is one of the best football podcasts on the Internet. Run in conjunction betweenSetanta Sports and Back Page Football, the podcast has rapidly built up something of a cult following amongst football fans across Ireland, England, Australia and the US.

This week, regulars Tom Fox, Ger McCarthy and Neil Sherwin were joined by EPL Featured Columnist and Premier League Report's Willie Gannon to discuss all things Premier League, Champions League, and Survival Sunday with a couple of weird stats thrown in for good measure!

Champions League Final 2011: Barcelona vs. Manchester United Tactical Preview

The Champions League Final. Barcelona, La Liga champions, will take on, EPL champions, Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London in a match for the ages.

Two of club football's greatest teams will go head to head in a repeat of the Champions League Final in 2009 where La Blaugrana dominated the Red Devils in a very one sided affair. Armed with a better team ethic and with revenge in mind, Sir Alex Ferguson will lead his side out against Pep Guardiola and a team that many feel is the greatest club side of all time.

Chelsea Sack Ancelotti For Finishing Second and Line Up Hiddink, Van Basten to Replace Him

Chelsea FC have sacked their manager Carlo Ancelotti after Roman Abramovich deemed the clubs second placed finish in the English Premier League was not good enough. The Italian only joined the Blues last year and won the domestic double in his first season in charge but a trophy-less haul this term has seen him exit the club.

In leaving the club, Ancelotti has become the sixth manager to leave Chelsea in the last six years.

Birmingham, Blackpool, and West Ham all Deserve Their Relegation Fate

Blackpool and Birmingham City have been relegated from the Premier League after last day losses away to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. They will join West Ham United in the Championship next season. The East London side went down last week after capitulating against Wigan Athletic who survived on the final day thanks to a 1-0 win away to Stoke City.

Blackburn Rovers and Wolves, who played each other, also survived a last day scare and stay up. At one stage, Wolves had dropped into the bottom three but two second half goals combined with results elsewhere was enough to guarantee survival for Mick McCarthy's hard working side.

EPL Relegation Battle:Blackpool and Birmingham to go Down On Survival Sunday

As "D-Day" or "Survival Sunday," depending upon which broadcaster you watch, looms. There are no less than five teams involved in the relegation scrap at the bottom of the Premier League.

Sorry West Ham United have already taken the dreaded plunge into the Championship after last weeks capitulation against Wigan Athletic and with just goal difference and the odd point separating five teams, two from Wigan, Blackburn, Wolves, Blackpool and Birmingham face the very real prospect of financial ruin and relegation.