The Dutch FA (KNVB) is "considering possible legal steps against FIFA after Sepp Blatter's controversial revelation" that Russia was awarded the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a fixed agreement, according to Samindra Kunti of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. The KNVB contacted its Belgian counterparts "for consultation." Last week the Belgian FA voiced its "dissatisfaction and intent to possibly claim damages" against FIFA after Blatter's interview with Russian press agency Tass "all but confirmed" that the joint Belgium-Netherlands bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup had been a "pointless venture from the start." KNVB officials said, "We stick to our point of view that if fraud is proven in the allocation of the 2018 and 2022 [World Cups] we will consult our partners to file a claim at FIFA." The Netherlands spent about €10M on its campaign "to bring the World Cup" to its shores (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 11/9).
NOT ENOUGH: The AP reported CONMEBOL President Juan Angel Napout said that electing a new president will not "dig FIFA out of the worst crisis in its 111-year history." Napout: "I don't think that any candidate or situation can change everything. This is about teamwork. I believe that all the confederations have to unite and work together for one football -- that's called FIFA" (AP, 11/8).
