Qatar signed 3 companies to build city for migrant workers

Qatar government has signed up three private companies - Shaqab Abela Catering Services, Gulf Systems for Contracting and Services and Redco International Trading and Contracting - for the construction of the Phase One of a massive labour accommodation project that will eventually house 179,000 workers, said a report.
Under this project, seven housing complexes will be built on an area of over 6.6 million sq m across the country in three phases at an investment of QR1.6 billion ($439 million). The project is expected to completed by the end of 2017, reported The Peninsula.
The Qatari move come as part of its efforts to provide a permanent accommodation for workers in a proper environment with all services and health, social, religious and entertainment facilities, said the report citing the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani.
These projects will come up on Umm Salal Mohammed, Birkat Al Awamer, Umm Ghuwailina, Al Wakrah and Al Shamal areas of Qatar, it stated.
Sheikh Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani, Undersecretary for Public Services, signed the contracts with Jassim bin Abdullah Al Misnad of Shaqab Abela Catering Services, Nabil Bu Issa of Gulf Systems for Contracting and Services and Saif ur Rehman Khan of Redco International Trading and Contracting.
The Umm Salal project will be executed by these private companies on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. Under this system, they will get to finance, construct and operate the facility for 15 years.
The first housing complex will be built in Umm Salal Mohammad as the first phase of the project with the capacity of 24,000 workers, followed by more complexes at Barkat Al Awamer in the second phase and then at Umm Ghuwailina, Al Wakrah and Al Shamal.
The complexes will have full facilities for workers such as parks, sport areas, mosques, ambulance assembly points, dining halls and laundry, the report added.

Source:
http://www.albawaba.com/business/qatar-signs-key-contracts-migrant-worker-city-777918

Qatar rejects Amnesty criticism on anniversary of winning World Cup bid

Qatar is “committed to protecting the workers” who are building its many infrastructure projects and is making progress in terms of labor rights, the government said in response to a new Amnesty International report that accused the state of “rampant” abuse of low-income employees.
Today marks the fifth anniversary since Qatar was named as host city for the 2022 World Cup.
On the eve of that milestone, Amnesty issued an annual scorecard asserting that authorities in Qatar “have done almost nothing effective to end chronic labor exploitation” here. It also accused FIFA of being complicit in failing to make material improvements to workers’ rights.
In response, Qatar’s Government Communications Office issued a statement last night arguing that the report “does not accurately reflect the progress we have made in reforming our labor system.”
It also claimed that Amnesty’s report did not compare Qatar’s developments to other countries that have a similar majority-expat population:

“The Government feels that Amnesty’s reporting lacks context, as it does not benchmark labor conditions in Qatar against labor conditions in other countries facing similar challenges.
Qatar fully intends to meet the highest standards with regard to labor but for reasons that are unclear, Amnesty International has provided no comparative data on labor conditions in other countries employing large numbers of guest workers to meet the demands of rapid growth and development,” the statement said.

Worker reforms

Asserting its “appreciation” of its migrant workforce, the government office maintained it had made a number of “significant (human rights) reforms” and that the state is “committed to respecting both their labor rights and their human rights.”
Among the examples of reforms cited by the government are the introduction of the Wage Protection System, which requires companies to pay employees’ wages directly into bank accounts.
The government also said there are “new laws” banning employers from withholding their employees’ passports and from working during midday hours in summer months.
However, these rules have been in place for a number of years, though workers do regularly complain about the passport issue and have said the authorities do not do enough to enforce the law.

Kafala

Amnesty also criticized Qatar for taking more than a year to introduce minor reforms to its controversial kafala sponsorship system that aren’t expected to take effect until next year.
“The reforms proposed by the government fail to tackle the central issues that leave so many workers at the mercy of employers, yet even these changes have been delayed,” Amnesty researcher Mustafa Qadri said.
However, the Qatar government office maintained that, despite criticism that the new law doesn’t go far enough in tackling some of the issues around workers’ rights, “these new regulations mark the beginning of the end of the so-called ‘kafala’ laws in Qatar.”
The statement continued:

“Far from ‘tinkering on the edges’ of reform, Qatar has made, and will continue to make changes in our laws that will help ensure that the rights of both workers and their employers are respected.”

In a separate public announcement yesterday, the head of the local organizing body for Qatar’s World Cup maintained that Qatar was making good progress in its preparations to host the global event in seven years’ time.
Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary-general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, reportedly said: “Our vision, our legacy continues to develop. The World Cup will go down in history as being an outstanding one.”
Work is underway on six of what will be at least eight stadiums required for the event, with the remodeled Khalifa international stadium in Aspire Zone set to be the first facility to be completed next year.
The main contractor for Al Wakrah stadium, which was designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, is set to be announced next week, Al Thawadi added.

FIFA response

The official also commented on the ongoing turmoil faced by football’s international governing body FIFA, saying “we need a stable FIFA for the benefit of the game. The new president, whoever it may be, should lead football and work for the progress of the game.”

FIFA did not escape censure by Amnesty. In a statement, Qadri said yesterday: “FIFA has played its part in this sorry performance. It knew there were labor rights issues in Qatar.”
He added:
“FIFA has bent over backwards to make a Qatar World Cup work, even taking the unprecedented step of moving the tournament from summer to winter. But apart from occasional public statements the organization has not set any clear, concrete agenda for how it will push Qatar to ensure migrant workers’ rights are respected.”
In its own response to the report, FIFA said it has been working with Qatar authorities, Amnesty and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to achieve “consistent and sustained implementation of fair working conditions on FIFA World Cup construction sites as quickly as possible.”
While its focus remains on specific World Cup sites – the stadiums – FIFA added that it continues to “urge” Qatar authorities to ensure basic workers’ standards were also implemented country-wide.
It said it would put in place a “human rights due diligence procedure” for the World Cup, but stopped short of giving any detail on what this would include or how it would be enforced.

#WhenWeWon

Meanwhile, a new Twitter hashtag #لما_فزنا (when we won) has been making the rounds this week. On it, many people have been expressing pride and joy that the country is hosting the World Cup, while others are reminiscing about how the felt and where they were when the news was announced five years ago.

 Source:
http://dohanews.co/qatar-rejects-amnesty-criticism-on-anniversary-of-winning-world-cup-bid/

Qatar going to build cities for migrant workers

Qatar reportedly signed on Thursday the first contracts on a project that will eventually house almost 180,000 migrant workers in seven "cities".
According to AFP, the seven sites could be in operation within two years and are in addition to the $825 million Labour City, which opened earlier this year with a capacity for 70,000 workers.
Many of the labourers who will be housed on the sites will be working on infrastructure projects directly or indirectly related to the 2022 World Cup, AFP said.
Qatar has been criticised by rights groups and unions for providing sub-standard and squalid accommodation to labourers. 
It added that the contracts signed on Thursday are between government officials and members of the private sector for the first accommodation centre, which will be located in Umm Slal, north of Doha and will house around 24,000 workers.
All seven sites will be built through public-private partnerships and will be built across Qatar incorporating facilities such as cafeterias, television rooms, gyms, mosques and other religious centres.
AFP quoted Jamal Shareeda Al-Kaabi, a director of the Central Planning Office, as saying the aim of the project is to place labourers closer to their place of work as well as to improve accommodation standards.
"Basically we're trying to facilitate a proper housing accommodation that meets the standards and requirements of the state with the best practice."
Source:
 http://www.arabianbusiness.com/qatar-inks-first-deal-build-cities-for-180-000-migrant-workers-614251.html#.VmLLtOKSO7O

Here are the top FIFA Ballon d'Or men's player of the year honor victors since 1991. This grant is offered yearly to the player why should believed be the best on the planet, in view of votes by mentors of worldwide groups. This recompense is frequently mistaken for the now old Ballon d'Or European Footballer of the year which was granted from 1956 until 2009.
Since 2004 the voting procedure depends on a shortlist of 35 created by FIFA, from which group skippers and agents from FIFPro vote notwithstanding the national group supervisors. In 2010, the FIFA player of the year recompense was converged with the Ballon d'Or, and now the grant is known as the FIFA Ballon d'Or. Contrast this rundown with the player of the year as indicated by World Soccer magazine, furthermore the female player of the year.

Joining the FIFA Ballon d'Or (years 2010+) and FIFA World Player of the Year grants (1991 to 2009), Lionel Messi has won the grant four times, with different players having won it three times: Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane and Ronaldo.

year	player	nationality
2014	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal
2013	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal
2012	Lionel Messi	Argentina
2011	Lionel Messi	Argentina
2010	Lionel Messi	Argentina
2009	Lionel Messi	Argentina
2008	Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal
2007	Kaká	Brazil
2006	Fabio Cannavaro	Italy
2005	Ronaldinho	Brazil
2004	Ronaldinho	Brazil
2003	Zinedine Zidane	France
2002	Ronaldo	Brazil
2001	Luís Figo	Portugal
2000	Zinedine Zidane	France
1999	Rivaldo	Brazil
1998	Zinedine Zidane	France
1997	Ronaldo	Brazil
1996	Ronaldo	Brazil
1995	George Weah	Liberia
1994	Romário	Brazil
1993	Roberto Baggio	Italy
1992	Marco van Basten	Netherlands
1991	Lothar Matthäus	Germany										Source:	topendsports

Qatar is never bad, but now it's better place for workers like never before

The emirate would like it gives him act efforts and reforms made to modernize its labor law.
The Qatar is in the process of alignment with the highest standards of labor law and he wishes to know. A small explanation of text could well take place this week on the occasion of the 325th session of the governing council of the International Labor Organization (ILO) met in Geneva until 12 November.
The representatives from the Emirate have had enough of the Qatar bashing. In 2013, the Guardian published a survey in which he revealed the "appalling conditions of work of the foreign workers employed on the yards of the football World Cup of 2022" to be held in Doha.
Revelations which were added the alarmist reports of the ILO and the international trade union Confederation (ITUC-ITUC) on the Kafala, a system of sponsorship mediaeval in force among the emirates and which makes the foreign worker totally dependent on the good will of his employer, thus favoring the modern forms of slavery.
On 27 October, the Qatar has enacted a new law that buried this system and introduced the labor contract generalized. The reception has been mixed especially on the part of the NGOS which remain always wary when the promises made by the countries of the Gulf. However, it is precisely there that ca stuck. Qatar wants to finish with the amalgam fillings, especially when it is associated with the neighbors with which it does not share the same vision of the world nor the same objectives.
Suddenly, the representatives of Qatar are urging their detractors to read each line of the new law, which establishes a right guard for the worker and obliges the employer to obligations. The exit permit is thus repealed. The employee will not be able to see confiscate his passport in an arbitrary manner. The wages shall be compulsorily paid by bank transfer to cut short the abuse.
The number of labor inspectors will be him also increased and sanctions may be taken against offending employers. That is summarized some of the arrangements being put in place.
Given the magnitude of this reform, which is a first for the region, Qatar suggested to the ILO and its bodies to demonstrate greater extent to its respect. After India, the emirate is the second country to protest these past few weeks against "the instrumentalisation of the question of labor law for political purposes".
The emirate sees in the campaigns which have referred these last few months the hand of other countries opposed to the rising power of the Al-Thani in the regional game, be it through diplomacy or their willingness to make Doha a hub world of sport and culture. The ILO, antechamber of wars of influence? The hypothesis is not to exclude even if the representatives of the trade unions and the defenders of human rights see it as an argument of circumstance to escape criticism.

Source:
http://www.tdg.ch/geneve/geneve-internationale/qatar-veut-remettre-pendules-heure/story/31348448

What is ITUC agenda ?

In a late demonstration of the biggest exchange union ITUC, government has said that it can't comprehend ITUC motivation, as the exchange union has been accounted for to be inciting little work associations to go on all India strike on second September 2015.

A report arranged by insight organizations says ITUC is dealing with its exercises through its Indian offshoots — the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha and SEWA.

"ITUC (headed by its general secretary Sharan Burrow) and its offshoots are blaming India and its legislature for poor consistence with universal work benchmarks, particularly as to kid work. Most such strikes are a politically roused plan against the decision government," the dossier said. Indicating out the connection of INTUC (subsidiary Congress), the dossier said it had taken an interest in the across the country strike against the NDA government on September 2.

INTUC general secretary Rajendra Prasad Singh said the exchange union had nothing to cover up and the administration was more than welcome to research anything it needed. "All our subsidizing is represented. We get it through checks and it is properly evaluated. We are prepared for any sort of examination," he said.

The practices of the Union of trade unions denounced

Accustomed to denounce the abuses committed everywhere in the world at the expense of workers, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has this time came under the fire of criticism. Since several months, the trade union organization backed on to the International Labour Organization (ILO) is increasingly contested. Mandated to assist unions and orchestrate awareness campaigns worldwide for respect for worker’s rights, the ITUC has built strong hostility from some governments.

Recently, the vice president of the ITUC-CSI, G. Sanjeeva Reddy, also a former minister, criticized the methods and practices within the trade union confederation. G. Sanjeeva Reddy was surprised financial resources deployed by the ITUC-CSI to put his country in the dock and sabotage at the same time a negotiation process at the national level between the government and unions. A protest accompanied by accusations against companies and agents paid by the ITUC to conduct its communication campaigns.

Charges with a little more information came across internet in recent weeks, but anonymously. Main targets being Australian Sharan Burrow, ITUC general secretary and his closest collaborators, who orchestrated media campaigns that were extremely effective but also extreme costly. Attention is particularly drawn to the case of an employee who was also paid in respect of his company for telling lie against his working conditions, concerning communication in the media and on social networks.

One of the last campaigns of the ITUC-CSI was against Qatar and FIFA. The trade union confederation has produced a damning report in which it denounced the situation of workers employed on the site of the World Cup 2022 Football. For Sharan Burrow, this workforce is "tantamount to modern slavery”. The campaigns of the ITUC-CSI for Qatar result from a choice clearly expressed by the ILO policy office has found it necessary to make a focus on the situation of workers in this country. However, voices continue to rise behind the scenes to be surprised by the difference in treatment between Qatar and other Gulf monarchies.

Why did not she ITUC expressed the same zeal to denounce the treatment of workers in Saudi Arabia? Can we know? These repeated attacks are not surprising Burrow. "We are the target for several months of a disinformation campaign based on dissemination of false documents. This is intended to divert attention from the situation of workers in Qatar, "said the general secretary of the ITUC.

Source: Tribune deGeneve (TDG), Switzerland

Cristiano Ronaldo VS Lionel Messi

Each week, ESPN FC projects and reviews the scoring battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. We'll keep tabs on their game-by-game battle for La Liga supremacy.
Current goals total in La Liga: Ronaldo 5-3 Messi
With Lionel Messi sidelined by injury, Barcelona struggled and lose 2-1 at Sevilla. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo had an opportunity to pull away from his great rival in the goalscoring stakes. However, he was unable to cash in.
Ronaldo managed six shots in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid, but hit the target with just one and was unable to beat Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Cristiano Ronaldo has now gone four league games without a goal.

Ratings and review
Here's what our Real Madrid blogger had to say about Ronaldo's performance.
Rob Train on Ronaldo: 6/10 -- Ronaldo's first half free-kick was his 50th attempt at goal already this season, for a return so far of five, all of those came during Espanyol's implosion at the Power8 four league fixtures ago. Naturally, as it's Ronaldo, this can be put down to a blip, an anomaly, or whatever. He has five in two European games after all. However, in the Calderon he was dispossessed a number of times and only managed six attempts, which in itself is a huge dip compared to recent matches. And only one of those was on target and barely tickled Oblak's hands.
Socially speaking
How did Twitter react to Ronaldo's latest display?

Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score in a La Liga match for the 4th game in a row for the first time since 2010. pic.twitter.com/aOikokFYio

- Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 4, 2015

Ronaldo sends 30 yard free kick over the bar.. he's scored just two of his last 83 [!] now...

- Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) October 4, 2015

What did you think about Messi and Ronaldo? Let us know using the hashtag #ESPNFCMessiRonaldo. Plus, tell us who will win this season's scoring battle in our poll.
The next game
After the international break, Ronaldo and Real Madrid host Levante on Oct. 17. Barcelona, without Messi, will entertain Rayo Vallecano on the same day.
The Messi vs. Ronaldo goals projection model
All season long, ESPN FC, in conjunction with ESPN's Stats & Info group, will forecast the scoring battle between Messi and Ronaldo using a specially designed projection model.
Here's an explanation from the model's creator, analytics specialist Zach Bradshaw:
"These projections account for the historical performance (goals scored and minutes played) of the two players since 2010, strength of opposing defences faced (measured by SPI defensive rating), game location, and the potential for injury or missing games. Based on these inputs, the predictor will estimate the chance of each player scoring any number of goals for each remaining game. From this, we can project the total number of goals scored, hat tricks, and the chance of each player accruing more goals than the other over the course of the entire Liga season."
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com

Qatar is going to prepare historic labour reform

Qatar on Tuesday officially launches one of its most "significant" labour reforms to guarantee migrant workers' wages, but rights groups are concerned over implementation of the new regulations.
The Wage Protection System (WPS) aims to ensure that migrant labourers, many working on 2022 World Cup-related projects, will finally receive their pay on time. Under the new system, workers will be paid either twice a month or monthly, and the wages electronically transferred direct to their bank accounts.
Failure to pay salaries on time, especially for blue collar workers, has been one of the biggest complaints voiced by rights groups against companies in the energy-rich Gulf state. A 2013 academic study, "Portrait of Low-Income Migrants in Contemporary Qatar," found that around a fifth of migrant workers were "sometimes, rarely or never" paid on time.
On August 18, a six-month grace period for businesses to ready for the electronic payment system expires. From that date, companies which fail to pay staff on time could face fines of up to 6,000 Qatari riyals ($1,650/1,485 euros), be banned from recruiting new staff, and bosses potentially sent to jail. Inspection teams will monitor the new system and identify any firms not complying with the regulations.
The WPS is being overseen by the labour ministry, which has previously pointed to its introduction as proof of Qatar's commitment to labour reform. In May, the ministry cited the WPS as an example of the "significant changes" being introduced in response to furious criticism of its labour practices since the controversial decision to allow Qatar to host football's biggest tournament.
Amnesty International, which has previously criticised Qatar for its "slow" pace of reform, said the introduction of the WPS was "welcome". "It's a positive step in principle," said Amnesty's Gulf migrant rights researcher, Mustafa Qadri.
However, Amnesty still has concerns about what will actually happen in practice following the deadline on Tuesday. It has called on Doha not to make any last-minute concessions to business or extend the grace period and also to ensure the WPS will be rigorously enforced.
"We shouldn't see August 18 as some sort of panacea, now we have the law, how will it be enforced? The government now has a benchmark it can apply to business. The government should effectively enforce this law," added Qadri. "We shouldn't see August 18 as a deadline but a new beginning for Qatar."
Doha has said it backs "effective and sustainable change" and says the WPS, like Qatar's promise of accommodation improvements for 250,000 workers, demonstrates a commitment to this end. But reform of the WPS only adds to the calls for change elsewhere, specifically the biggest reform of all, scrapping of the controversial "kafala" system, which limits the movement of foreign workers.
Qadri called "kafala" the "elephant in the room" and said the changes being introduced on August 18 should open the door to further reforms. He referred specifically to the ending of the controversial kafala system which has been likened by some critics to modern-day slavery.
Qatar has pledged by the end of 2015 to abolish the system under which employers retain the passports of workers, who are not allowed to change jobs.

U.S. women soccer stars Morgan, Solo questionable for match

At least two of the most recognizable names from the U.S. national women’s soccer team might not play Sunday at Heinz Field.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo and forward Alex Morgan are both questionable for the 1:30 p.m. friendly against Costa Rica, the first stop on a 10-game victory tour for the U.S. team, which recently won its third Women’s World Cup. Solo has an injured knee that occurred in the World Cup while Morgan had minor knee surgery July 17. Neither has since played for their National Women’s Soccer League teams.
Forward Sydney Leroux definitely is out after having right ankle surgery in July.
But even if some are out of the lineup, all 23 players from the World Cup-winning team will make the trip to Pittsburgh, including midfielder Carli Lloyd, forward Abby Wambach and defender Meghan Klingenberg, a Richland native. For a peek at all the players before the match, the team will hold a free, public practice at 11 a.m. Saturday at Heinz Field.
More than 41,000 tickets have been sold for the game, with ample 500-level seats still available, as well as some 100-level, 200-level and club seats. Tickets can be purchased through ussoccer.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 as well as Ticketmaster centers in the are. Prices range from $28-$90.
Source: http://www.post-gazette.com

Bringing new pro soccer team to Cincy

The “beautiful game” will have a new home in Cincinnati, but will it last this time? The city has seen many soccer teams come and go, but with a prominent home, notable backers and a solid league, the latest endeavor will attempt to last.
The Enquirer has learned that an announcement will come Monday about Futbol Club Cincinnati, a United Soccer League team funded by Carl Lindner III and other investors. The team will take the field in spring 2016.
The team will play at Nippert Stadium, the University of Cincinnati's newly renovated, 40,000-seat football stadium, a source told The Enquirer. Tickets will go on sale after Wednesday’s announcement and will range from $50 for students up to $595 for club seats for 15-17 games.
An $86 million renovation of Nippert currently is on time and on budget, and the seating capacity is expanding from 35,000 to 40,000 for the Bearcats' upcoming football season. The stadium will be configured to utilize 10,000 seats for USL matches.
Former Cincinnati Councilman Jeff Berding has left his job as director of sales and public affairs with the Cincinnati Bengals to be the team's president and general manager.
What is the USL?
The USL, currently comprised of 24 teams, is the third tier of American soccer, below top-tier Major League Soccer and the North American Soccer League. Several USL teams are designated affiliates of MLS franchises – teams like LA Galaxy II and Toronto FC II.
For some, the phrase "minor league" might result in direct comparisons to Major League Baseball's tiered system of affiliates and lower-league teams. There are key differences, though.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament offers USL teams an avenue to compete in meaningful matches against MLS clubs.
American baseball doesn't have a competition like the U.S. Open Cup, and it's not uncommon for USL teams to upset MLS sides in the competition. First-year USL franchise Charlotte Independence turned the trick in June when it upset four-time MLS champion D.C. United to advance to the last 16 of the tournament.
Another key difference is some USL teams are attempting to move into America's top league. One of the Cincinnati's new peers, Sacramento Republic FC, has previously stated it's desire to make the jump to MLS. And Orlando City SC serves as an example of a USL club that already succeeded in jumping to MLS.
Orlando City now routinely plays before home crowds of tens of thousands and is fronted on the field by Brazilian star Kaka.
Soccer hasn't stuck before
This might be the most prominent soccer league of which the city has been a part, but history has shown that past efforts have not ended well.
Cincinnati has seen a variety of soccer teams come and go throughout the years. Some were of the indoor variety, most notably the Cincinnati Kids, which played in the Major Indoor Soccer League in 1978-79. The team might have been best known  for having Reds legend Pete Rose as a minority owner. Rose made the ceremonial first kick in the team’s inaugural game in New York’s Nassau Colosseum in 1978. The team only lasted one season.
The Cincinnati Silverbacks, also an indoor team, played at The Crown (now U.S. Bank Arena) as part of the National Professional Soccer League. The team existed just three years, from 1995 to 1998. The Cincinnati Excite of the American Indoor Soccer League lasted from 2004 to 2008.
Traditional outdoor teams have also not managed to stick in town. The Cincinnati Comets won the American Soccer League championship in its inaugural season in 1972 but folded after the 1975 season.
The Cincinnati Riverhawks and the Cincinnati Kings, both of the U.S. Premier Development League, failed to last. The PDL is the fourth-tier of American soccer leagues, one level below the USL.
One team that’s still alive is the Cincinnati Saints. The team is part of the 70-team National Premier Soccer League and has been in existence since 2009. The team, which plays home games at Angus King Stadium at Withrow High School, has been trying to grow its fan base each season. A May 2015 Enquirer article said the team drew 12 people to its first game, but had upward of 500 fans at games during its 2014 season. The team was hoping to double that this summer, in a season that saw them finish in last place in their division.
But those number are paltry compared to the attendance numbers that could be achieved in the USL. According to the league’s website, www.uslsoccer.com, the league’s single-game attendance record was 20,886 for its 2013 championship won by Orlando City in Orlando.
In contrast, a team in much closer proximity to Cincinnati, the Dayton Dutch Lions averaged only 531 fans per home game in 2014.
A success story
Though Dayton hasn’t seen full stadiums for its games, another city in the region is finding success with its USL team. Louisville City FC began playing in the league this season and has seen strong attendance and an enthusiastic fan base.
Steven Peake, director of media relations for Louisville FC City, says officials of the new Cincinnati franchise observed a couple of games at Louisville Slugger Field this season.
"I think it's great for us," Peake said of news of a Cincinnati team. "...Our fans are already talking about road trips to Cincinnati."
Peake said the USL is expected to schedule several games in the spring of 2016 between the two teams given the regional geography.
Peake said the interest in Louisville has been excellent. The team started the season March 28 during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and it was well-received in its first spring. Louisville FC City drew 6,000 for that first game. He said the fan base was loud and they were very intelligent.
"We had supporters set up before the team was announced," Peake said. "We couldn't ask for a better start."
Louisville FC City averages 6,391 fans, which is second in the league, according to Peake. The top attendance average in the league is Sacramento Republic FC with 11,274.
The regular season concludes Sept. 19, and the playoffs follow that.
Peake said he heard from fans that didn't like soccer before the season but came away very impressed with the atmosphere once they attended the Louisville FC City games.
"They would say, 'This is awesome. I am coming back. This is great.’ "
All USL games are broadcast on YouTube, Peake said. Louisville FC City has a great rapport with the local ESPN radio affiliate, he said. Bob Valvano does the color commentary on the radio in Louisville.
Optimism abounds
University of Cincinnati men’s soccer coach Hylton Dayes will get an up-close look at the new team since it’s playing on campus. He’s seen the benefits firsthand of having a professional soccer team in town.
"I was around when the Riverhawks were here and it was great for the city," Dayes said. "One benefit for us will be our guys having the opportunity literally to go from their dorm to Nippert and watch pro soccer. Watching high level soccer will help our guys improve for sure."
Xavier University men's soccer coach Andy Fleming welcomed the news and said it will add another element to the area soccer scene.
“As a collegiate program that was built mainly on local and regional talent, this adds another gateway to professional soccer and is something that can only help with our recruiting, possible facility development and continuing the careers of our college players,” Fleming said.
The Courier-Journal reported Monday the new Fubol Club Cincinnati will join the Eastern Conference. Former U.S. star John Harkes is reportedly the new Futbol Club Cincinnati coach, according to Sports Illustrated.
“Obviously John's name speaks for itself and adds instant credibility to the franchise, as we all know him as a true American great," Fleming said.
As for fan interest, UC’s Dayes doesn’t think it’ll be an issue here.
"I think fans will be excited to watch pro soccer,” he said. “Cincinnati is a big sports town and soccer has a long history here. I think people will support it for sure."
source: http://www.cincinnati.com

ITUC are involved in the campaign against FIFA? What interest has the union ?

On 16 July we have communicated real concerns with respect to ties ITUC - the International Trade Union Confederation - and the interchanges organization purpose.com that considers as a real part of its reference sections association "Walk Free". "Walk Free" that, before the vote that affirmed Blatter as the head of FIFA, assaulted the Swiss pioneer advancing the bid of his adversary, Prince Hussein Bin. Article ipotizzavamo a favored relationship between the risky and maybe purpose.com and the ITUC; specifically, we put accentuation on conceivable undeclared American impedance in the legislative issues of the International Trade Union Confederation. Point by point cutting weight, though the ITUC, just in Qatar, he let out full names of representatives who have attempted to uncover the working conditions in power in the nation, putting them unmistakably in risk.

It is in this manner with some astonish that we discovered a couple of days back, the General Secretary of the ITUC, Ms Sharan Burrows, has retweeted a quote from our article: "The American association strolls free (whose goal is to change the supposition of the masses) underpins the ITUC Sharan Burrow and with regards to American intrigues in Qatar." In doing as such Mrs. Tunnels affirmed that the ITUC is included in a media crusade against Qatar and FIFA, for the benefit of the US government. It can't make deliberation of the way that Qatar has seen property inspected football in 2022 with two votes distinction harm exactly the United States. In light of the above it appears that the dissentions about the working states of transients in Qatar have turned into the affection for standard records that go past the ordinary obligations of an exchange union. Furthermore, this is not pleasant.

What interest has the union?

On 16 July we have expressed legitimate concerns regarding ties ITUC - the International Trade Union Confederation - and the communications company purpose.com that counts among its appendices organization "Walk Free". "Walk Free" that, before the vote that confirmed Blatter as the head of FIFA, attacked the Swiss leader promoting the candidacy of his rival, Prince Hussein Bin. Article ipotizzavamo a privileged relationship between the dangerous and perhaps purpose.com and the ITUC; in particular, we put emphasis on possible undeclared American interference in the politics of the International Trade Union Confederation. Detailed cutting weight, whereas the ITUC, just in Qatar, he let out full names of employees who have worked to reveal the working conditions in force in the country, putting them clearly in danger.

It is therefore with some surprise that we found out a few days ago, the General Secretary of the ITUC, Ms Sharan Burrows, has retweeted a quote from our article: "The American organization walks free (whose objective is to change the opinion of the masses) supports the ITUC Sharan Burrow and in defense of American interests in Qatar.” In doing so Mrs. Burrows confirmed that the ITUC is involved in a media campaign against Qatar and FIFA, on behalf of the US government. It cannot make abstraction of the fact that Qatar has seen attribute sampled football in 2022 with two votes difference damage precisely the United States. In light of the above it seems that the complaints about the working conditions of migrants in Qatar have become the pretext for regular accounts that go beyond the normal duties of a trade union. And this is not nice.

source: http://www.20min.ch

Alex Morgan: USA forward to feature on historic Fifa 16 cover

World Cup winner Alex Morgan has been chosen as one of the first women to feature on the front cover of football video game Fifa 16.

The forward, who helped the United States beat Japan in the 2015 Women’s World Cup final, will appear alongside Barcelona’s Lionel Messi on the American version of the game.
Canada captain Christine Sinclair features on the cover in Canada.
Women’s teams feature in the EA Sports game for the first time this year.

Qatar Airways’ aggressively cheap fares are chasing SIA out of the lucrative European market

 

Load factors to Europe fell for 3 straight months.
Singapore Airlines is bearing the brunt of Qatar Airways’ aggressive capacity expansion in the region, a report by UOB Kay Hian revealed.
SIA’s operating statistics June operating statistics showed that overall passenger load factor slipped by 1.6 points last month. PLF to Europe showed the largest contraction with a decline of 4.5 points.
SIA attributed the decline to weak demand and intensifying competitive pressures. According to UOB Kay Hian, Qatar Airways’ additional capacity out of Singapore and its aggressively cheap fares may be a key reason behind SIA’s weak statistics.
“June’s weak loads to Europe suggest that Qatar’s capacity increase could be a reason for the drop in loads to the region, although Greece’s problems could also have contributed to the drop. Europe is a key market for SIA, accounting for 28% of SIA’s (parent airline) capacity and is also a key market for business travel,” said the report.
Qatar Airways rolled out its new Airbus A350 aircraft in May, part of a slew of measures to increase market share in Singapore.
“Qatar Airways likely gunning for a share of the business class segment. Current promotional fares to five European cities are at least 30% cheaper than that of SIA. Qatar Airway’s ultimate goal appears to be a slice of SIA’s high-yielding business class as the increased capacity will add additional 448 weekly business class seats to Europe, via Doha. We estimate that the increase in business class capacity will approximate 11-14% of SIA’s business class capacity to Europe,” the report noted

ITUC seems to be over concerned for Qatar’s migrants !! Moves suspicious in Qatar?

 

DOHA. The Conference international trade union which has interests in Qatar?
In 2006, the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the “World Confederation of Labour”, comes the “International Trade Union Confederation” (ITUC), which represents 175 million workers in 311 organizations spread in 155 countries. Because of the poor conditions faced by workers who work in the preparation of infrastructure for the World Cup the ITUC has become known for his complaints against FIFA, the organization of the World Cup and the airline of the country Arabic.
After the arrests took place in Zurich during the last congress of FIFA, the ITUC, however, it was unexpectedly supported by an organization called Free Walk, which presents itself as an organization against slavery. On that occasion “Walk Free” attacked Sepp Blatter promoting the candidacy of his rival, Prince Hussein Bin. We all know how that turned out.
What few know is that Walk Free is an appendage of an American organization – which is the showcase website http://www.purpose.com – whose stated purpose is to “change the opinion to the masses.” The co-founder of the site, Jeremy Heimans, is Australian as is Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary present. The first, in 2011, at the World Economic Forum in Davos has been recognized as one of the 10 people in the world can change Internet and politics at the global level.
Whereas Jeremy Heimans has also been honored by the Ford Foundation (powerful American foundation) the question is not whether the ITUC is preparing to defend American interests, perhaps not declared. This in light of the fact that in one of his reports on working conditions in Qatar, the union has disclosed the names and photos of several workers who provided their information, objectively putting them in danger. One way to at least singular treat their sources for a union supported “by one of the 10 people in the world can change the policy of the planet.”
source: http://www.20min.ch/

Suspicious moves in Qatar ! Have the West teamed up for FIFA

DOHA. The Conference global exchange union which has intrigues in Qatar?
In 2006, the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the “World Confederation of Labor”, comes the “Global Trade Union Confederation” (ITUC), which speaks to 175 million specialists in 311 associations spread in 155 nations. In light of the poor conditions confronted by laborers who work in the readiness of framework for the World Cup the ITUC has get to be known for his objections against FIFA, the association of the World Cup and the carrier of the nation Arabic.
After the captures occurred in Zurich amid the last congress of FIFA, the ITUC, be that as it may, it was out of the blue bolstered by an association called Free Walk, which introduces itself as an association against servitude. On that event “Walk Free” assaulted Sepp Blatter advancing the application of his opponent, Prince Hussein Bin. We all expertise that turned out.
What few know is that Walk Free is a limb of an American association – which is the showcase site http://www.purpose.com – whose expressed reason for existing is to “change the feeling to the masses.” The prime supporter of the site, Jeremy Heimans, is Australian as is Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary present. The principal, in 2011, at the World Economic Forum in Davos has been perceived as one of the 10 individuals on the planet can change Internet and legislative issues at the worldwide level.
Though Jeremy Heimans has likewise been respected by the Ford Foundation (capable American establishment) the inquiry is not whether the ITUC is planning to protect American intrigues, maybe not announced. This in light of the way that in one of his reports on living up to expectations conditions in Qatar, the union has uncovered the names and photographs of a few specialists who gave their data, dispassionately placing them in peril. One approach to at any rate particular treat their hotspots for a union upheld “by one of the 10 individuals on the planet can change the strategy of the planet.”