Governing Bodies
TOKYO 2020 VOLUNTEER TRAINING POSTPONED OVER CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
BY MICHAEL PAVITT.
Tokyo 2020 has postponed the training of Olympic and Paralympic Games volunteers due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The first training sessions for volunteers, known as the “Field Cast”, began back in October.
Organisers said at the time that around 300 general training events would take place at 13 venues in 11 prefectures in the host nation by the end of February.
The general training sessions have briefly been halted due to the coronavirus outbreak, with Tokyo 2020 saying these will be rescheduled for a later date.
“As part of efforts to prevent the spread of infection of the novel coronavirus, we have decided to postpone trainings,” a Tokyo 2020 statement read.
“Cast members will be informed of rescheduled dates, venues, and other details in a separate notification.
“The Organising Committee continues to work closely with all related organisations to prepare for a safe and secure Tokyo 2020 Games.
“There are no considerations of cancelling the Games nor will the postponements of these activities have an impact on the overall Games preparation.
“In accordance with the government’s policy for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, we will also evaluate the immediate need for each Games-related event on a case by case basis.
“At all Tokyo 2020 events, we ask that all participants take appropriate measures to ensure that all will be able to participate in safety and with peace of mind.”
The training sessions are aimed at providing volunteers with the essential knowledge needed for the Games.
Sessions include an introduction from the participants and a lecture on what they should expect as a member of the Field Cast.
They will be provided with an overview of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as receiving a history lesson.
Training on diversity and inclusion will also be included, along with the rules and rewards of volunteering.
In total, 80,000 volunteers will support the Games, after being selected from 204,680 applicants.
Volunteers will provide support in guiding spectators, competition and media operations.
They will also be deployed in various locations, including competition venues and the Athletes’ Village.
The Field Cast volunteers will be given their Games-time roles next month, with specific training for the positions beginning in April.
Tokyo 2020 and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have insisted the Games will not be postponed or cancelled because of the virus, given the official title of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The coronavirus has reportedly infected around 78,000 people worldwide, with 2,362 deaths caused.
While China has had the largest amount of cases with more than 76,000 reported, at least 100 have been detected in Japan.
John Coates, chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Tokyo 2020, claimed this week the organisation was “satisfied” the event will be safe to attend.
During a project review of Tokyo 2020 last week, Coates claimed the WHO had told the IOC there was no case for cancelling or postponing the Games.
Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori has also remained defiant and blasted what he claimed were “irresponsible” rumours surrounding whether the Games would take place as planned.
–insidethegames
World football governing body, FIFA, today clocks its 122nd anniversary, celebrating more than a century of overseeing and expanding the global game.
Founded on May 21, 1904, in Paris, France, FIFA began with just seven member associations — France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
From that modest beginning, the organisation has grown into the most influential sports governing body in the world, with 211 member associations spread across all continents.
Over the decades, FIFA has transformed football into a truly global phenomenon through competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Club World Cup, youth tournaments, and developmental programmes aimed at growing the game worldwide.
The organisation has also witnessed remarkable milestones, including the expansion of the men’s World Cup from 13 teams in 1930 to 48 teams beginning from the 2026 edition to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA’s journey has equally reflected football’s growing influence beyond sport, with the game becoming a major tool for diplomacy, social inclusion, youth empowerment, and economic development across the world.
As FIFA celebrates 122 years of existence, attention is now focused on the future of the game, technological innovations, expanded competitions, women’s football growth, and the continued globalisation of football.
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UEFA has issued a lifetime ban to Petr Vlachovsky, a Czech women’s soccer coach who secretly filmed his players, the governing body announced on Tuesday.
Czech media reported that the coach was convicted in May 2025 and initially received a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban for filming FC Slovacko’s players in changing rooms, the youngest of whom was 17.
In a statement, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) said it had decided to ban Vlachovsky “from exercising any football-related activity for life” following the appointment of an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to investigate allegations of potential misconduct.
“The CEDB further decided to request FIFA to extend the abovementioned ban on a worldwide level and to order the Football Association of the Czech Republic to revoke Mr Petr Vlachovsky’s coaching licence,” the statement added.
FC Slovacko did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Football players’ union FIFPRO welcomed the ban as well as UEFA’s request for world soccer governing body FIFA to impose an international ban on Vlachovsky.
“This outcome sends a strong and necessary message that abusive and inappropriate behaviour has no place in football and that safeguarding the well-being of players must remain a priority at every level of the game,” FIFPRO added in a statement.
Vlachovsky had also previously served as coach of the Czech women’s Under-19s team.
RELATED STORY: https://sportsvillagesquare.com/2026/04/08/outrage-as-male-coach-who-secretly-filmed-women-players-still-free-to-work-in-football/
-Reuters
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Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoff final after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, the English Football League said on Tuesday.
Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton on aggregate in the semi, have been reinstated and will face Hull City on Saturday in what is dubbed the world’s richest soccer match.
Promotion to the Premier League, even with an immediate relegation, is estimated to be worth in the region of 200 million pounds ($268.10 million) over three seasons.
Southampton, who admitted the charges, were also found guilty of filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season.
They have also been deducted four points from the start of next season in England’s second tier.
“An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs after the club admitted multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training,” the EFL said.
“Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.
“The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 play-offs and will proceed to the play-off final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.”
The EFL confirmed that Southampton could appeal against the decision and that “parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May.
“Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture,” the statement said.
‘BORO CALLED FOR SOUTHAMPTON EXPULSION
Middlesbrough had called for Southampton’s expulsion after having a training session at their Rockliffe Park site filmed 48 hours ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Southampton which ended 0-0.
The north-east club said they welcomed the decision.
“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct,” the north Middlesbrough said in a statement.
“As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.”
Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season and were struggling in the early part of this campaign until a storming finish in which they went unbeaten in 19 league games to finish fourth and enter the playoffs.
The south-coast club are the first to fall foul of the Football League’s regulation 127 — brought in after Leeds United were found guilty of spying on Derby County seven years ago, an offence for which they were fined 200,000 pounds.
-Reuters
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