No celebratory masks THE GUARDIANS of the laws of the Game of Association Football, the International F A Board (IFAB), will be discussing various possible amendments to the laws when the body convenes at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester (England) for its 121st annual general meeting on Saturday 3 March. The agenda for this year includes FIFA's proposed revision of Law 4 to prohibit players from displaying political, religious or personal statements on their equipment and thus allow such transgressions to be handled by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. A further submission from the world governing body proposes that a yellow card be shown to any player who covers his or her face with a mask while celebrating a goal. Among the items for discussion and decision in section IV of the agenda are goal-line technology, with three separate projects submitted for consideration, and the sanctions to be imposed on any player who intentionally strikes an opponent with an elbow. The IFAB will also address the issues of pitch-side TV monitors and video evidence. IFAB is composed of representatives from the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as FIFA. The four British associations have one vote apiece, while FIFA, representing its 203 other members, has four votes, with any proposal requiring a three-quarters majority (ie six of the eight votes) to be approved. Women look ahead WITH seven months to go before the kick-off of the FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007, 14 of the 16 teams that will take part in the fifth ever flagship event of women's football are already known. Japan and Mexico will contest the 15th berth in the tournament in a two-legged play-off to be held on 10 and 17 March, whereas the final qualifier will be the winner of the OFC preliminary competition in April. The draw will take place in Wuhan, one of the five venues chosen for the tournament, on 22 April. The procedure for the draw will be confirmed at a later date because, among other factors, it depends on the FIFA Women's World Ranking for March 2007 and the remaining play-off matches. Nevertheless, the following has already been decided: - The hosts, China, will occupy position 1 in Group D (D1) - The reigning world champions, Germany, will occupy position A1 - The FIFA Women's World Ranking for March 2007 will determine positions B1 and C1 - No group may contain more than one team from a particular confederation, except UEFA (maximum two teams in the same group) The draw will be preceded by match between the FIFA Women's World Stars and the Chinese national team at the Wuhan Sport Center Stadium on 21 April. Also, for the first time as part of the FIFA Women's World Cup, doping controls will be carried out prior to the competition. New FIFA house FOR A FEW days in late May, Zurich, FIFA's home since 1932, will be at the centre of the football world. On Tuesday 29 May FIFA will officially inaugurate the Home of FIFA in the presence of delegates from all 207 member associations and a whole host of invited guests. This year's FIFA Congress, the 57th in the history of world football's governing body, will be held at Zurich's Hallenstadion on 30 May and 31 May. The first day of Congress proceedings will be dominated by the opening ceremony and the presentation of various awards, followed by an official dinner for delegates and guests. The second day will be dedicated to the statutory programme and the election of the FIFA president. Various FIFA committees will convene in the days leading up to the Home of FIFA inauguration and the Congress, including the FIFA Executive Committee on 27 May. PSA boasts double-digit growth FOR THE third consecutive year, the Professional Squash Association experienced explosive double digit growth in total prize money. "It has increased by $1,000,000 in just the last three years, just shy of $2,500,000 for 2006," said Jack Herrick, chairman of the PSA board. "Looking to the future, current bookings suggest that we shall grow to $3,000,000 in 2007. "All of those associated with the PSA, especially our promoters and their sponsors, should be extremely proud of these results as they take squash to a new level in the world of sport." PSA Chief Executive Gawain Briars added: "Last year's figures reflect the increasing value of the PSA brand. Men's professional squash played to 11, point a rally, is such a dynamic and entertaining sport. Competition is open to the extent that any one of our top players can win a major title. Matches are more exciting for audiences and represent great value for promoters. The ground-breaking web streaming service, PSALIVE.tv -- introduced by PSA with partners Horizon -- and our continuing commitment to increase the quality and numbers of television programmes, place PSA in the vanguard of the modern game."
