Graham Dunbar, Author at Athol Daily News

FILE - The Olympic rings are set up in Paris, France, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Trocadero plaza that overlooks the Eiffel Tower, a day after the official announcement that the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be in the French capital. An IOC inspection team has given a resounding thumbs-up to Paris’ preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games. The IOC said Wednesday that Paris organizers are where they should be in their planning with 415 days to go before the opening ceremony. (AP...

Paris 2024 Olympics HQ searched in third consecutive Summer Games scandal

by Angela Charlton Associated Press, and Graham Dunbar Associated PressJune 20, 2023June 20, 2023

PARIS — French police searched the Paris Olympic organizers’ headquarters on Tuesday as part of corruption investigations into contracts linked to the Games, according to prosecutors, the third straight time graft allegations have dogged a Summer…

England players celebrate after defeating Brazil 4-2 in a penalty shootout at the end of the Women's Finalissima soccer match between England and Brazil at Wembley stadium in London, Thursday, April 6, 2023. The match had ended tied 1-1. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

FIFA warns Europe of Women’s World Cup broadcast blackout

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressMay 2, 2023May 2, 2023

FILE - A exterior shot of the stadium before the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Manchester City has been accused of numerous breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between 2009-18. The period covers the first nine full seasons under the club’s Abu Dhabi ownership. City won the league on three occasions during that time in 2012, 2014 and 2018. (Peter...

How Manchester City came to face Premier League charges

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressFebruary 6, 2023February 6, 2023

Argentina's Lionel Messi holds up the trophy flanked by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

FIFA mostly wins big but loses some trust at Qatar World Cup

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressDecember 19, 2022December 19, 2022

France's head coach Didier Deschamps, left, celebrates a goal by France's Kylian Mbappe, right, during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Poland, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

World Cup history beckons for France, Mbappé, Deschamps

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressDecember 15, 2022December 15, 2022

FILE - England's Harry Kane wears a rainbow armband as he takes the knee prior to the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium in England. The captains of seven European nations will not wear anti-discrimination armbands in World Cup games after threats from FIFA to show yellow cards to the players. The seven soccer federations say "we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions.” (Justin...

FIFA threat makes World Cup teams nix ‘One Love’ armbands

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressNovember 21, 2022November 21, 2022

FILE - In this Thursday, March 5, 2015, file photo, Budweiser beer cans are seen at a concession stand at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. World Cup organizers reportedly have made another late change in alcohol policy only two days before games start in Qatar by banning beer sales at the eight soccer stadiums in and around Doha. Media reports say Qatari authorities are pressing FIFA to ban all sales of long-time World Cup beer sponsor Budweiser at the eight venues. (AP...

Qatar bans sale of beer at World Cup stadiums in about-face

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressNovember 18, 2022November 18, 2022

FILE - UEFA Secretary General Gianni Infantino speaks during a news conference at the end of the 39th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Vienna, Austria, on March 24, 2015. The last 32-team World Cup will be the shortest in this era. There are just 28 days from starting on Nov. 21 in Qatar to finishing on Dec. 18. And only 25 days to play seven games if a team from Groups G or H – like Brazil or Portugal – is to reach the final after opening on Nov. 24. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak, File)

Having the World Cup in Qatar creates unique tight schedule

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressNovember 14, 2022November 14, 2022

FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani leave the stage before the 2022 soccer World Cup draw at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, Friday, April 1, 2022. The first World Cup in the Middle East is only one month away. Qatar has been on an often bumpy 12-year journey that has transformed the nation. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

Qatar’s 12-year journey as World Cup host has 1 month to go

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressOctober 20, 2022October 20, 2022

FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks before the 2022 soccer World Cup draw at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, on April 1, 2022. This season will be unique in the 135-year history of domestic leagues in Europe. They will stop for a month or more while players leave for Qatar and the first World Cup ever in the European winter. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FIFA looks to start World Cup in Qatar 1 day earlier

by Graham Dunbar Associated PressAugust 10, 2022August 10, 2022