New FIFA Communications Director Meets Russian Media - Fifa.com

FIFA's new Director of Communications and Public Affairs Walter De Gregorio visited Moscow on December 8 and 9 to meet heads and editors of leading Russian mass media outlets.

“I became FIFA’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs two months ago, and it’s only natural that I wanted to meet the key players in the Russian media market in person, to establish contacts, and to discuss cooperation in covering Russia’s preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. Journalists should feel that FIFA is working in close contact with the 2018 Russia Local Organising Committee and that at any moment they can get any information from both the LOC and FIFA,” Walter De Gregorio said on the purpose of his visit.

At his meetings with Russian media representatives the editors wanted to learn what would be the accreditation quota for media representing the host country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Walter De Gregorio pointed out that it would be significant and expressed confidence that the Russian media would make excellent use of this privilege to provide excellent coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“From the meetings I had during my visit I see Russian journalists are ready to work at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tomorrow. They are very well informed and enthusiastic about Russia hosting such a tournament. Russia is indeed a sports-loving nation. At one of the news agencies they showed me a printout of the football news for just one week, and it was an impressive wad of paper. There is no doubt about the interest to the World Cup growing in the country as the tournament approaches,” FIFA’s Director of Communications said.

“FIFA and the media have the same goal – to experience a fantastic 2018 FIFA  World Cup, although we’re coming at it from different directions. I believe that keeping in constant contact will help us avoid any misunderstandings or distorted information from appearing in the news. For example, despite recent reports in a number of European and Russian publications, FIFA is not conducting any investigation into the Russian bid for the 2018 World Cup. Russia delivered a very good bid and we are confident that Russia will host a wonderful World Cup. I have reiterated our position to the Russian media during the visit,” Walter De Gregorio pointed out.

FIFA’s Director of Communications also said that he would visit Russia regularly, starting next year, in order to establish and maintain close working contacts between FIFA and the Russian media.

Asian Media praise progression-Fifa.com

 

The preliminary round of qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil ™ has attracted unprecedented attention from Asian media with passion, football rekindled among all sixteen participating countries. Not surprisingly, the eight teams in their respective Nations triumphant sent into raptures after advancing to the second qualifying round.

In Philippines, celebrations took place across the country after their team prevailed over Sri Lanka 5-1 on aggregate to progress to the second round for the first time. Also Philippines President Benigno s. Aquino III took time to recognize the historic achievement of the team.

"The entire nation was thrilled by the victory of our own Philippine Azkals," the 51-year-old was quoted as saying by the news agency Philippines State. "Really, there's no place like home, as those who gathered at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and came together before their TVs today [Sunday] experienced," noted the team following the victory by 4-0 in the second leg.

There were feasts similar Nepalin, where the national team's victory 7-1 overall against Timor-Leste was warmly received by the local press. In an editorial entitled "history", the Himalayan times paid tribute to the team, who have progressed beyond the stage of initiation in World Cup qualifying for the first time.

"For lovers of the country, the Nepali booters provided a fitting start to their qualifying campaign for World Cup by defeating East Timor convincingly," the article begins. "This is the first time the Nepal who has moved to the second round in six attempts since participated in the World Cup qualification in 1985".

Palestine are another team of jubilant mood after their second-leg 1-1 against Afghanistan sent them through as winners 3-1 aggregate. Just as important as the outcome was the fact that this was their first qualifier for the FIFA World Cup on home soil.

"Hear the Palestinian national anthem on our territory is so good," Jibril Rajoub regime, President of the Palestinian Football Federation and national Olympic Committee, was quoted as saying by the sportsfeature.com. "It makes me feel so proud."

Alarm Clock
Some local media was encouraged enough to speak positively of qualifying second round, where their respective teams will have to fight against higher-ranked opponents, including some of the big boys of continent-over two legs on July 23 and 28.

In a report entitled "Azkals itching to take Kuwait" since Manila Philippines coach, Michael Weiss was confident about his team's chances against Kuwait, which are 44 places above his team. He said: "the real test came for us. It will assess where we are really in football. Personally I recognise Kuwait is very strong and we must intensify, but the Azkals will do everything to qualify for the third round. "

The optimistic atmosphere is not so obvious Malaysiain, with losses of defensive against Chinese Taipei team still causing concern for coach Krishnasamy Rajagobal. After losing their second leg 3-2 Sunday Malaysia qualified, only away.

"I'm not happy with how we played," Rajagobal said New Straits Times. "We need to fix our mistakes and come back our trust. We have time to work on things until we play Singapore ".