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Tag: Sepp Blatter

  • discovery+ delves into FIFA World Cup scandal in new documentary

    discovery+ delves into FIFA World Cup scandal in new documentary

    Mumbai: Discovery on Friday announced the commission of “The Men Who Sold the World Cup,” a compelling two-part film from critically acclaimed directors Daniel DiMauro and Morgan Pehme (“Get Me Roger Stone,” “The Swamp”). The film is based on the definitive story of how football’s biggest competition was sold to the highest bidders. 

    Made in partnership with award-winning producers Story Films and Calliope Pictures, “The Men Who Sold the World Cup” will premiere exclusively on discovery+ on 24 October.

    The awarding of the World Cup to countries around the world was rumoured to have been infested with bribery, corruption, global politics, backroom deals, and greed. It all came to a head when the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar – a desert nation with baking summer temperatures, zero world-class stadiums, a population mostly indifferent to soccer, and lots of money, said the platform in a statement.

    With exclusive interviews from those right at the heart of the story, the documentary reveals the stranger-than-fiction truth behind how the world’s biggest sporting event was sold by some of international football’s most senior officials and how they were eventually evicted from their seats of power and luxury lifestyles, it added.

    With unique testimonials lifting the lid on the story, viewers are taken inside FIFA during the era of Sepp Blatter, the infamous ex-president who presided over world Football for decades. This was a world where, for some, normal rules didn’t apply and bribery and embezzlement were part of the business.

    The film features a cast of outrageous characters including US soccer bigwig, Chuck Blazer, and Qatari deal-maker, Mohamed Bin Hammam. Contributors include a whistle-blower from the Qatari bid team, Blatter’s former Press chief, soccer greats including Jurgen Klinsmann and Landon Donovan, and Sepp Blatter himself.

    The first episode showcases Sunday Times investigators Heidi Blake and Jonathan Calvert and follows their incredible investigation and scoop of the century that revealed rampant corruption at the heart of FIFA. The second features FBI and IRS investigators who exposed criminal behaviour at the heart of an organisation with a structure they likened to The Mob.

    The show was ordered by Discovery Group’s VP content & acquisitions EMEA and APAC Myriam Lopez-Otazu; SVP marketing, head of factual & sport Simon Downing, and VP original content – factual Victoria Noble. Executive producers for Story Films are David Nath, Peter Beard, and Jeremy Phillips at Discovery.

  • SPTI unveils official film of 2006 Fifa at Mipcom

    SPTI unveils official film of 2006 Fifa at Mipcom

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) gets Mipcom 2006 off to a lively start with the announcement that it has secured the worldwide excluding Japan, the distribution rights to The Grand Finale, the only officially sanctioned film about the 2006 Fifa World Cup.

    Directed by Michael Apted and narrated by Pierce Brosnan, The Grand Finale exhibits never before seen footage of the excitement and drama of the 2006 Tournament. It provides a film-style overview of the tournament’s most captivating moments. The announcement was made today by SPTI executive VP distribution Keith LeGoy.

    Commenting on the deal, LeGoy said: “The 2006 Fifa World CupTM was a spectacular event viewed by an audience of 30 billion people around the planet. The Grand Finale captures cinematic footage of the tournament that has never before been seen, footage that truly depicts the character, stamina and strength of the world’s best players, the excitement of the games and the passionate support of the fans. The cinematic quality of The Grand Finale along with the huge appeal of football among an ever widening worldwide audience makes this an incredible property for general and sports broadcasters alike.”

    Also commenting, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: “We are pleased that a Hollywood studio of Sony Pictures’ global relevance has acquired the distribution rights for the Official 2006 Fifa World Cup Film. Through their expertise and market relevance around the world, millions of football aficionados will gain access to a unique and exclusive film production that allows the viewer to feel part of the action and the excitement of the Fifa World Cup. I am sure that the film will rapidly become a collector’s item because of its convincing and creative approach to some of the best the Fifa World Cup Final had to offer”.

    The Grand Finale not only portrays the excitement of the matches played in the World Cup but also uniquely captures the emotions, excitement and tension from the initial knockout stages through to the Final.

    The close-up, intimate style filming of The Grand Finale provides a compelling look at the highs and lows of the players and fans as they face the triumphs and adversities of the most beautiful game. Moreover, the film uniquely goes further than just highlighting the best moments of the tournament – it provides an inside perspective on the feelings of the players, their coaches, the fans and the officials.

    Michael Apted is best known for directing the award-winning Up! series of documentaries, and his feature film credits include Coal Miner’s Daughter, Gorky Park, Gorillas in the Mist, Class Action, Nell and the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. The Grand Finale is produced by ECN Motion Pictures and runs approximately 100 minutes.