Advertisement
road to russia

No warm balls - Fifa reassure fans that World Cup draw is entirely random

Football’s governing body has responded to claims that some of the balls are heated or cooled to ensure teams are kept apart in the group stage.

FIFA HAS REASSURED fans that the World Cup draw is ‘entirely random’ and completely fair.

Football’s governing body has denied claims that some of the balls are heated or cooled before the draw to ensure certain teams are kept apart in the draw, ensuring they have a better chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Fifa director of competitions Chris Unger has come out strongly to insist that the draw is random and no bias is given to particular teams. “There’s no truth to that,” Unger said, as reported by Sky Sports.

“They’re all the same; they don’t feel any different, they don’t look any different with the exception of the red balls, which are there for a purpose. It’s entirely random and by chance how the groups get formed at the end.”

The World Cup draw takes place on Friday, 1 December at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. Gary Lineker and Maria Komandnaya will host the draw, where the eight groups will be drawn.

 

The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):

Your Voice
Readers Comments
4
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel