James M. Dorsey

Sectarian Divisions Being Played Out on the Football Field

Sectarian Divisions Being Played Out on the Football Field

Sectarian divisions fuelling conflict across the Middle East have spilt on to the soccer pitch with Iraq’s decision to boycott the Gulf Cup and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warning the Iraqi government not to interfere in the game. It is hard to separate the divisions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims that governments in Bahrain […]

 James M. Dorsey

New AFC Boss: The Clock is Ticking for Reform Agenda

New AFC Boss: The Clock is Ticking for Reform Agenda

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sheikh Salman Al Khalifa immediately following his election last week pledged that he will pursue reform vigorously. Let us see.

 James M. Dorsey

Equality on the Pitch: Women’s Football ‘on the Rise’

Equality on the Pitch: Women’s Football ‘on the Rise’

JAMES M. DORSEY: A newly launched campaign reflects the societal changes that are being felt throughout the Middle East today

 James M. Dorsey

Top International Footballers Call for Action Against Israel

Top International Footballers Call for Action Against Israel

JAMES M. DORSEY: Four young Palestinian footballers were killed in a bombing during Israel’s assault on Gaza. Enough is enough, say some top footballers.

 James M. Dorsey

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

JAMES M. DORSEY: The financial management of the Asian Football Confederation during Mohammed bin Hammam’s reign is under investigation

 James M. Dorsey

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is following in the footsteps of deposed autocrats by associating himself with one of Iran’s greatest passions: soccer.

 James M. Dorsey

World Cup Hosts Qatar, Russia Back Under the Spotlight

World Cup Hosts Qatar, Russia Back Under the Spotlight

JAMES M. DORSEY: Three major investigations into corruption in global soccer are putting the credibility of major soccer associations and World Cup 2022 host Qatar to the test.

 James M. Dorsey

FIFA Buys Time with Bin Hammam Suspension

FIFA Buys Time with Bin Hammam Suspension

JAMES M. DORSEY: FIFA’s investigation of Mr. Bin Hammam is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg, and will inevitably broaden to the Qatari World Cup bid itself.

 James M. Dorsey

Court Questions FIFA Integrity over Hammam Proceedings

Court Questions FIFA Integrity over Hammam Proceedings

JAMES M. DORSEY: If Mr. Bin Hammam would be hard pressed to portray the ruling as evidence of his innocence, it is in many ways equally condemning of FIFA.

 James M. Dorsey

Questions Continue to Surround Bin Hamman

Questions Continue to Surround Bin Hamman

JAMES M. DORSEY: The appointment by Qatari and UAE soccer bodies of individuals who worked with Mohammed bin Hamman raises more questions

 James M. Dorsey

FIFA Corruption Probe Set to Examine Qatar Bid

FIFA Corruption Probe Set to Examine Qatar Bid

JAMES M. DORSEY: The recently announced investigation by FIFA into allegations of past corruption will inevitably put Qatar 2022 in the spotlight again.

 James M. Dorsey

Jordan: A Model For Sports Governance in Region

Jordan: A Model For Sports Governance in Region

JAMES M. DORSEY: The success of the Jordanian Football Association is causing other sporting bodies to sit up and take notice.

 Editor, MEP

Qatar 2022: Villaggio Tragedy Adds to Critic Arsenal

Qatar 2022: Villaggio Tragedy Adds to Critic Arsenal

JAMES DORSEY: Critics are asserting Qatari building standards are shoddy and cast doubt on the safety standards of stadiums…

 James M. Dorsey

A Storm Brewing: Bahrain Sheikh Seeks Top AFC Job

A Storm Brewing: Bahrain Sheikh Seeks Top AFC Job

JAMES M. DORSEY: Campaigning is under way for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation. The position is never far from controversy.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar Makes Labour Rights Commitments, Yields to World Cup Pressure

Qatar Makes Labour Rights Commitments, Yields to World Cup Pressure

JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar has vowed to ensure that contractors involved in preparations for the 2022 World Cup will adhere to international labour laws

 James M. Dorsey

Blatter U-Turn Sees Door Closed on FIFA Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Win

Blatter U-Turn Sees Door Closed on FIFA Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Win

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sepp Blatter, a month after opening the door to an investigation of the Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid, has declared “case closed”.

 James M. Dorsey

Worrying Times: FIFA Opens Door to Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Bid

Worrying Times: FIFA Opens Door to Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Bid

JAMES M. DORSEY: In a worrying development for Qatar, the FIFA president has opened the door to a possible investigation into its successful World Cup bid.

 James M. Dorsey

Syrian Regime Looks to Soccer for Support

Syrian Regime Looks to Soccer for Support

JAMES M. DORSEY: ‘Bread and circuses’ are what the Roman emperors offered the people. ‘Bullets and soccer’ are what the Syrian regime appear to be offering today.

 James M. Dorsey

‘Cultural’ Symbol: Hijab Dispute Nears End

‘Cultural’ Symbol: Hijab Dispute Nears End

JAMES M. DORSEY: It has been a running sore between FIFA, football’s world governing body, and women’s football teams throughout the Islamic world.

 James M. Dorsey

Blatter Hints FIFA May Investigate Qatar Bid

Blatter Hints FIFA May Investigate Qatar Bid

JAMES M. DORSEY: There’s resentment against Qatar hosting the WC because its riches allowed it to spend far more than its competitors