The hot Qatari summer, where temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, "has already been criticized for how it might affect the players, but now a new study published in this month’s International Journal of Biometeorology purports that heat will affect spectators negatively, too." Based on thermal indices such as the Physiological Equivalent Temperature, the study concludes, "[The World Cup] may be not appropriate for visitors, if it is placed during months with extreme conditions. For Doha, [Qatar], this is the period from May to September, when conditions during a large majority of hours of the day cause strong heat stress for the visitors" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/22). ... A sold-out game in the Swedish capital was played in front of more spectators than four of Saturday's English Premier League matches -- "not bad for a second-tier clash." Sunday's sellout between Stockholm club Hammarby, currently third in the Superettan league, and leaders Ljungskile was "attended by 31,500 fans at the Tele2 Arena" (REUTERS, 8/24). ... La Liga side Levante "has never before had as many members as it does now." The club broke the 17,000-member mark on Friday, "breaking the franchise record of 16,667, which was set last season." Nevertheless, "the club still wants more and believes that in a matter of weeks it will be able to establish a new ceiling." The club, which five years ago set a goal of "passing from 5,000 members to 18,000," now has that mark "appearing on the horizon" (SUPERDEPORTE, 8/23).
TEXT MESSAGE SCANDAL: League Championship side Cardiff City called for League Managers' Association Chief Richard Bevan to resign after the organization described offensive text messages sent by Malky Mackay as "friendly banter." The LMA "apologized after provoking criticism from anti-discrimination campaigners over its statement" (BBC, 8/22). Former FA Chair David Triesman said that Mackay "should face a season-long ban from football for his part in the text message scandal that has left the former Cardiff City manager facing an uncertain future in the game" (LONDON TIMES, 8/24).
