As the World Cup gets under way in Russia, the U.K.'s trade unions "have urged bosses to be flexible with staff who want to follow the football action." The Trades Union Congress said that workplaces that operate flexible working "can allow staff to put their hours in while still getting the chance to see all the crucial games." TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said, "It's important employers do not score an own goal by acting like killjoys" (BBC, 6/14).
Russian fans have been urged to grow moustaches to support the national team, managed by mustachioed Stanislav Cherchesov.GETTY IMAGES
Football fans in Russia "are being urged to grow moustaches during the World Cup in support of the national team." The "moustache of hope" is backing Russia Manager Stanislav Cherchesov, who is "well known for his signature facial hair" (BBC, 6/14).
A "huge billboard" in Tehran in support of the Iran national team at the World Cup was criticized "because it does not feature any women." The picture "shows men of different ethnicities celebrating around a trophy." In response, the front page of the Qanun newspaper carried an image of the billboard with the caption, "We lose without women" (BBC, 6/14).
BeIN Media Group announced 22 matches will be broadcast for the first time on beIN's free-to-air channels in MENA with expanded distribution. Fans in MENA who subscribe to beIN Sports will have access to all 64 matches (beIN Media Group).
If you are "mad enough to wake up early" to watch matches at 3am, "then at least you will be able to calm your nerves with a cheeky pint of beer in Wellington." Six central city bars were granted a special license from Wellington City Council to serve alcohol past 4am during the Cup. But "there are some conditions, like a one-way-door policy that will mean after a set time, no new patrons will be allowed to enter the bar" (STUFF, 6/14).
The three World Cup players with the most Instagram followers are, in order, Cristiano Ronaldo (126.7 million), Neymar (93.5 million) and Lionel Messi (91.8 million) (ADWEEK, 6/13).
Six Saudi female teenagers "slated to serve as their country’s flag bearers" at the World Cup’s opening match on Thursday were replaced by Russians after their trip was canceled due to "logistical circumstances," organizers said. Named flag bearers as part of a program run by Coca-Cola, the girls, aged 13-17, "were supposed to lead the Saudi national team onto the pitch" (REUTERS, 6/14).
Social listening and analytics company Talkwalker launched a live dashboard and blog that allows journalists to track the highlights of the social media conversation around the tournament. The dashboard is available at https://www.talkwalker.com/blog/world-cup-social-media-stats (talkwalker).
