The English Football Association is concerned about its players and coaches being hacked at the World Cup in Russia and has written to FIFA expressing concerns about information already being accessed in a cyberattack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds the FIFA World Cup trophy during its presentation at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, Russia, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
England has told players, coaches and technical staff to avoid using public Wi-Fi networks over concerns sensitive personal and team information could be illegally obtained in Russia, a person with knowledge of the FA's World Cup planning said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because team security issues are private.
Emails between the FA and FIFA discussing doping cases were last month published by the Russian-linked hacking group, Fancy Bears, as part of a wider disclosure of illegally obtained information.
While the World Anti-Doping Agency has been previously breached by Fancy Bears, it is unclear which network these emails were hacked from. It prompted the FA to write to FIFA about its concerns about cyber security.
England's Eric Dier, left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup Group F qualifying soccer match between England and Slovakia at the Wembley stadium in London, Great Britain, Monday, Sept. 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
"FIFA has informed the FA in such context that FIFA remains committed to preventing security attacks in general and that with respect to the Fancy Bears attack in particular it is presently investigating the incident to ascertain whether FIFA's infrastructure was compromised," FIFA said on Monday, confirming the letter from the English governing body. "Such investigation is still ongoing. For the purposes of computer security in general, FIFA is itself relying on expert advice from third parties.
"It is for this reason that FIFA cannot and does not provide any computer security advice to third parties."
Asked about concerns about cyberattacks at the FIFA tournament next year, 2018 World Cup organizers said they "would need to check with our IT Department."
Even before the Fancy Bears hack, England was enhancing its IT systems to counter cyberattacks in light of concerns about Russian hackers, said the person with knowledge of the FA's planning. Firewalls have also been strengthened and stronger encryption used on passwords, the person said.
GENEVA (AP) — Leaders of top European soccer leagues say they have no plans to take games to the United States, though acknowledged that could change pending a lawsuit in Manhattan.
FIFA has shifted its long-time policy of blocking domestic league games being played on the territory of another member federation by withdrawing this month from an antitrust suit filed by U.S. promoter Relevent Sports. The suit is also against the U.S. Soccer Federation.
If league games could be organized abroad, European leagues and clubs — especially in England and Spain — could expect offers from the United States, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.
“It’s not part of our current plans, it really isn’t,” English Premier League CEO Richard Masters said on Friday at a news conference after the 34-nation European Leagues group met in London.
Still, Masters said uncertainty over the court case meant “no one quite knows exactly what is happening but the door looks ajar potentially in America, at any rate, for matches abroad.”
European Leagues managing director Jacco Swart said taking games abroad was “definitely not on the agenda” of the group yet.
“I’m not saying never but currently it’s not a point on our agenda,” said Swart, a former executive at the Netherlands league, who noted U.S. sports leagues routinely schedule games in London and other European cities.
FIFA forcefully blocked a 2018 plan by Spain’s La Liga to take a game involving Barcelona, then still with Lionel Messi in the team, and Girona to Miami where Messi now plays.
The FIFA policy is less clear now, and Masters lamented how Europe’s leagues had poor relations with the Zurich-based organization.
There was no “meaningful dialogue” with FIFA, Masters said, while UEFA gave a seat on its decision-making executive committee to the leagues group.
“There is a chasm really between the style of consultation with leagues between UEFA and FIFA, where there is none,” the Premier League official said.
FIFA’s first monthlong Club World Cup will kick off in June next year, with 12 European clubs among the 32 teams playing in the United States. Real Madrid and Manchester City qualified to be in it, but American-owned Manchester United and Barcelona did not.
Tens of millions of dollars in prize money paid by FIFA risks further widening wealth gaps among European clubs, and adds up to seven more games on player workload for teams that reach the final.
The 2024-25 season will add more congestion to the calendar. The Champions League and second-tier Europa League expand with four extra teams, for a total of 36, playing eight games instead of six before the knockout rounds. Those games block two new midweek slots in January.
Swart said pressure on players and the soccer calendar was coming from international games, not domestic ones.
“It’s getting to a tipping point,” Masters said, warning about “players’ ability to perform at their best in competitions they want to play in.”
The 20-team, August-to-May format of the Premier League has stayed the same since 1995. Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A also have 20 teams each playing 38 games. Germany's Bundesliga has 18 teams.
“What has changed over the last few decades,” Masters said, “is the march, really, of international and regional football competitions.”
The European Leagues groups wants a formal working agreement with FIFA, and on Friday called for a “more transparent, objective and non-discriminatory set of regulations to govern professional football.”
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Jacco Swart, Managing Director of the European Leagues, speaks during the 48th European Leagues General Assembly press conference at Nobu Hotel Portman Square, London, Friday April 26, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)
Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger celebrates victory with teammates after winning a penalty shoot out against Manchester City following the Champions League quarterfinal, second leg soccer match at the Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, England, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
Bayern's Joshua Kimmich, center, and Harry Kane (9) celebrate after Kimmich scored during the Champions League quarter final second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)
Richard Masters, CEO of the Premier League, attends the 48th European Leagues General Assembly press conference at Nobu Hotel Portman Square, London, Friday April 26, 2024. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, right, fights for the ball with Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
