A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on SAT 04 JUN 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC third round on FRI 03 JUN 2005. more...

Costa Rica forward Whayne WILSON died in hospital on WED 18 MAY 2005 several days after a weekend automobile accident. Much like the death of Ecuador's Otilino TENORIO, the 29 year old Wilson reportedly crashed into a truck as he was on his way to visit his family. Wilson was only just beginning to make a name for himself with the Ticos, scoring on a penalty against Panama in the CONCACAF final round; his professional career included time with numerous Costa Rican clubs, most recently Brujas.

Otilino TENORIO, Ecuador forward, died in an automobile accident on SAT 07 MAY 2005 when his car collided with a truck on a road between Quito and Guayaquil. Tenorio's death comes just three days after playing in a friendly against Paraguay in East Rutherford, NJ, USA; his previous international appearances included three CONMEBOL group phase qualifiers. His last goals were a hat trick for Ecuadorian club El Nacional against his former side Emelec, though the 25 year old player declined to celebrate them using his famous mask that earned him the nickname "Spiderman".

On FRI 29 APR 2005, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee handed down punishments for crowd trouble at 2006 Men's World Cup qualifiers in MAR 2005. Korea DPR must play at a neutral venue, with doors closed, against Japan on WED 08 JUN 2005 after unrest at AFC group B matches against Bahrain and Iran. Iran, in turn, must play Korea DPR on FRI 03 JUN 2005 with no more than 50,000 spectators in attendance. Six were killed in a crush at the exits at Iran's match against Japan on FRI 25 MAR 2005. Georgia, whose fans threw objects onto the field at UEFA Group 2 matches against Greece and Turkey, are to face the Ukraine on SAT 03 SEP 2005 and Kazakhstan on SAT 08 OCT 2005 behind closed doors. In addition, Korea DPR were fined 20,000 Swiss francs [US$16,700], Iran CHF30,000 [US$25,100], and Georgia CHF5,000 [US$4,200]. All of these decisions can be appealed.

A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on WED 30 MAR 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CONCACAF final round on WED 30 MAR 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CONMEBOL group phase on TUE 29-WED 30 MAR 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the AFC third round on WED 30 MAR 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CONMEBOL group phase on the weekend of SAT 26-SUN 27 MAR 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of SAT 26-SUN 27 MAR 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CONCACAF final round on the weekend of SAT 26-SUN 27 MAR 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on SAT 26 MAR 2005. more...

State media in Iran has reported that five spectators died after the Iran-Japan match in Tehran on FRI 25 MAR 2005. The state news agency, IRNA, said that there were about 40 injuries as well but did not address why there was a rush toward the exits following the AFC third round Group B match. Local authorities and FIFA have both begun investigations into the incident.

A quick summary of action around the AFC third round on FRI 25 MAR 2005. more...

Albania and Costa Rica have had their punishments for violence at recent Germany 2006 qualifiers reduced on appeal. Albania must now play only their next home match, against Georgia on SAT 04 JUN 2005, behind closed doors and must pay a fine of only 20,000 Swiss francs [US$17,000]. Costa Rica must still play Panama in a closed setting on SAT 26 MAR 2005 but must only pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs [US$8,600].