Fifa's rule

FIFA is an association established under the Laws of Switzerland. Its headquarters are in Zürich. The need for a single body to oversee the game became apparent at the beginning of the 20th century with the increasing popularity of international fixtures. Nations straddling the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia have generally had their choice of confederation. The laws that govern football, known officially as the Laws of the Game, are not solely the responsibility of FIFA; they are maintained by a body called the international football association board (IFAB). A 2007 FIFA ruling that a player can be registered with a maximum of three clubs, and appear in official matches for a maximum of two, in a year measured from July 1 to June 30 has led to controversy, especially in those countries whose seasons cross that date barrier.
FIFA's Executive Committee, chaired by the President, is the main decision-making body of the organisation in the intervals of Congress. FIFA's worldwide organizational structure also consists of several other bodies, under authority of the Executive Committee or created by Congress as standing committees. An incident during a second-round game in the 2010 FIFA World Cup between England and Germany, where a shot by Frank Lampard, which would have levelled the scores at 2–2, crossed the line but was not seen to do so by the match officials. During the Panorama exposé, Brennan—the highest-level African-American in the history of world football governance—Jennings and many others exposed allegedly inappropriate allocations of money at CONCACAF, and drew connections between ostensible CONCACAF criminality and similar behaviours at FIFA. Brennan's book, The Apprentice: Tragicomic Times Among the Men Running—and Ruining—World Football is due out in 2010. The book also alleged that vote-rigging had occurred in the fight for Sepp Blatter's continued control of FIFA.

Interesting Facts on the FIFA World Cup

The first World Cup was held in 1930 and is held every four years. The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. Brazil has won a record five World Cup titles, and Brazilian Ronaldo holds the individual record for most World Cup goals with 15. Many believed American Bart McGee scored the first goal in the World Cup, against Belgium in the 40th minute.The red and yellow card system was not introduced until the 1970. The youngest player to play in a World Cup match was Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside against Yugoslavia in 1982. He was 17 years, 41 days old. The highest attendance for one match was in the 1950 final. The official attendance was 199,854 for the match between Brazil and Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Hungary scored 27 goals in the 1954 World Cup. Hungary made the finals that year but lost to West Germany 3-2. The first player to receive a red card was Chile's Carlos Caszely in 1974 in a match against West Germany in the 67th minute.

History of FIFA - Foundation

FIFA started life in Paris on 21 May 1904. In over 100 years of history since, eight Presidents have held the reins and membership risen from seven to 208. No other sporting event captures the world's imagination like the FIFA World Cup™.FIFA has been served by eight Presidents since its foundation in 1904. Modern football was born in 1863 when the English Football Association was founded yet the roots of the game stretch back centuries. When the idea of founding an international football federation began taking shape in Europe, the intention of those involved was to recognise the role of the English who had founded their Football Association back in 1863. It was now definite that the English FA, under its president Lord Kinnaird, would not be participating in the foundation of an international federation.
The first FIFA Statutes were laid down and the following points determined: the reciprocal and exclusive recognition of the national associations represented and attending; clubs and players were forbidden to play simultaneously for different national associations; recognition by the other associations of a player's suspension announced by an association; and the playing of matches according to the Laws of the Game of the Football Association Ltd. It was decided that these regulations would only come into force as of 1 September 1904. Moreover, the first Statutes of FIFA were only of a provisional nature, in order to simplify the acceptance of additional members.
The foundation act was signed by the authorised representatives of the following associations:
France - Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA)
Belgium - Union Belge des Sociétés de Sports (UBSSA)
Denmark - Dansk Boldspil Union (DBU)
Netherlands - Nederlandsche Voetbal Bond (NVB)
Spain - Madrid Football Club
Sweden - Svenska Bollspells Förbundet (SBF)
Switzerland - Association Suisse de Football (ASF)

Opening Ceremony of FIFA World Cup 2010

The founder of FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 in South Africa is Nelson Mandela. Information Communications Manager at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang, said: "We reiterate that Mr. Mandela and his family will make the decision about whether he attends or not on the day."
Mandela was going to attend the opening ceremony, but he was unable to attend because his 13-year-old great-granddaughter died in a car crash before the opening ceremony.Local Organizing Committee spokesman Jermaine Craig said an open invitation had been sent to the Mandelas, adding: "I can confirm that current president Jacob Zuma will attend Sunday's occasion."