Declan Hill comments on FIFA's promises to fight down match-fixing in this year's World Cup and remarks on possible match-fixing activities in the vulnerable last matches of the group-stage games.

The one time I tried to get into St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, I was stopped because I wore shorts. Bare knees are not appropriate for the Pope and his patrons. This day, at least, they missed the opportunity to save a lost soul. Now I wonder if the attitudes and strategies of the St. Peter have rubbed off on FIFA. FIFA also has a clothing police to prevent happy supporters from provoking their beneficiaries.

The World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world. With the event that only comes every four years come a slew of companies who step up and dish out millions of dollars to FIFA to be the official sponsors of the tournament. This year’s World Cup in South Africa is no different.

Special criminal courts set up by the South African government, at the recommendation of FIFA, to deal with crime during the World Cup are quick, efficient and poised to set an example for the currently sluggish judicial system.

By FIFA standards Bavaria beer participated in ambush marketing in a first round World Cup match up between the Netherlands and Denmark.

How much money is being spent in ‘Il Ritrovo Lounge’ each day? Nobody knows - but it is a lot. A striking number of stocky men gather at the bar, talking in rough northern English accents. These men are ticket dealers.

Tamar is a search and social conversion agency that just published its second sport index report.

The organisation Sport et Citoyenneté has published a special edition of their scientific journal Sport and Citizenship. This Special Edition covers a subject with inevitable media hype from different angles. Sport and Citizenship wishes to take advantage of this unique occasion and the media’s attention to raise this question: “Is this really Africa’s hour?”.