Moscow's Red Square was transformed into a football pitch on Friday (18th September) as Russia launched its 1,000-day countdown to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

As the 1,000-day countdown to the FIFA World Cup in Russia began on Friday, fans were able to enjoy a flavour of the atmosphere of football's greatest festival in Moscow's Red Square.

The iconic Square has been transformed into a football pitch and players representing the under-16 teams from Italy, Spain and Germany - the three last World Cup winners - had a chance to play in this historic location.

Friday's countdown ceremony culminated with the unveiling of the countdown clock, with former World Cup winners Lothar Matthaus of Germany, Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta, Spain's Fernando Hierro and Russia's Igor Akinfeyev on hand to press the red button and launch the countdown.

Attended by high-ranking FIFA officials, the celebrations came as FIFA remains embroiled in a corruption scandal, partly over the awarding of the 2018 tournament to Russia.

On Thursday (17th September), FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke was abruptly relieved of his duties over his alleged involvement in a ticketing scam.

The Kremlin has said that the country honestly participated in the bidding process and that its status as host country should not be called into question.

Similar countdown events are taking place in more than 30 Russian cities, including the host cities of Saint Petersburg and Kazan.

The 2018 World Cup opening match will take place at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on 14th June, 2018.

Moscow, Russia. 18th September, 2015.

1. 00:00 Pan of replica of World Cup on display in Red Square.

2. 00:22 Various of young players performing football skills.

3. 00:46 SOUNDBITE (English): Colin Smith, FIFA Director of Competitions:

"It's a celebration of football. It marks a significant milestone in our progress towards the tournament. What better way to celebrate it than here on Red Square with an iconic football match, with youth teams from the three last world champions. It's a milestone for the public of Russia, it's a milestone for football fans around the world, and it's also a milestone for us in terms of getting the operations ready. It's all about a celebration and and build up of excitement to the summer of 2018 now."

4. 01:15 Various of ceremony marking 1,000 days to go until World Cup.

5. 02:26 SOUNDBITE (Russian): Vladimir Putin, President of Russia:

+++ for our Russian-speaking clients +++

6. 02:56 Various of ceremony to unveil the countdown clock in Red Square.

7. 03:26 Former World Cup winners Lothar Matthaus of Germany, Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta, Spain's Fernando Hierro and Russia's Igor Akinfeyev help to press red button launching the countdown.

The future of the Confederations Cup is uncertain after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said "everything is on the table" as the tournament's future is reviewed.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is warning that the future of the Confederations Cup is uncertain beyond next year's competition in Russia.

Speaking ahead of the draw for the 2017 edition of the tournament, Infantino says it remains unclear how and when the following edition, provisionally set for 2021, will be played.

That's because the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be held in November and December, meaning the Confederations Cup would cause severe disruption to the club calendar if held in its traditional slot a year before the bigger tournament.

Infantino says "we are putting everything on the table" as FIFA officials discuss questions such as whether it should be played in June or November and does the format need reworking?

"We have next year the Confederations Cup, then we will have the World Cup in 2022 which will be played in November, as you know, and December of 2022," Infantino said.

"This means that we will have to look at the Confederations Cup in any case for that period. Because shall we play it in June, shall we play it in November, shall we think about the format? We are putting everything on the table, we are studying everything, no decisions have been taken on any topic in this respect. And I think it is normal that we discuss, that people can have their views and their opinions, like of course Mr Rummenigge, who is a good friend, and we will discuss it with every one and then we'll find the best solution for the future."

The Confederations Cup was founded in 1992 and since 2005 it has been held in the same nation as the upcoming World Cup host doubling as a test event for local organisers.

The six confederation champions, previous World Cup winners and tournament hosts enter the vent.

The 2017 edition will take place in Russia starting on the 17th of June.

Kazan, Russia. 26th November, 2016.

1. 00:00 Various exterior of Kazan Arena, 2018 Russia World Cup venue.

2. 00:38 Wide shot of Kazan Arena.

3. 00:50 Various of stands of Kazan Arena.

4. 01:17 President of Russian Football Union Vitaly Mutko, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CEO of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Local Organising Committee Alexey Sorokin walking in for news conference.

5. 01:35 SOUNDBITE (English) Gianni Infantino, FIFA president:

(On the future of the Confederations Cup, and Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge having said 2017 will be the last edition of the Confederations Cup):

"We have next year the Confederations Cup, then we will have the World Cup in 2022 which will be played in November, as you know, and December of 2022. This means that we will have to look at the Confederations Cup in any case for that period. Because shall we play it in June, shall we play it in November, shall we think about the format? We are putting everything on the table, we are studying everything, no decisions have been taken on any topic in this respect. And I think it is normal that we discuss, that people can have their views and their opinions, like of course Mr Rummenigge, who is a good friend, and we will discuss it with every one and then we'll find the best solution for the future."

6. 02:37 Mutko and Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura and Sorokin attending the ceremony for the Kazan countdown clock to the 2018 World Cup.

7. 02:50 Close up of Infantino attending countdown ceremony.

9. 02:56 SOUNDBITE (English) Gianni Infantino, FIFA president:

(On the chance that Germany might not employ several top players in the Confederations Cup):

"Somebody really believes that the Germans don't take something seriously, and in particular a football tournament? You know the old definition of football? It's 22 players playing, and at the end the Germans win. So they will have a very strong team, and so will the others."

10. 03:19 Infantino, Samoura and Mutko attending countdown ceremony.

11. 03:27 SOUNDBITE (English) Gianni Infantino, FIFA president:

"The World Cup in Russia will be the first World Cup where officially we will use the Video Assistance Referee, to help the referees not to make mistakes, or not to make big mistakes. The World Cup, the football World Cup is the biggest event, it's the most important football competition, and if we can help a little bit the referee not to make big mistakes, well then we should take this opportunity."

12. 03:58 Infantino attending countdown ceremony (Upsound "We can count the days, the hours and even the seconds to the start of the World Cup")

13. 04:08 SOUNDBITE (English) Gianni Infantino, FIFA president:

(On the future of the Club World Cup):

"Club football is growing now also outside of Europe and South America, with clubs emerging and wanting to participate, and we need to see if we can find a stage for them, to involve them and to make the world of football benefit from that, then it will be welcome. If we cannot, then we continue. We are I think in this new era where we have to bring topics to the table to debate about competitions."

14. 04:39 News conference.

15 04:47 SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Gianni Infantino, FIFA president:

(On Chilean fans):

"I was in Chile for last year's Copa America. and that was the heart of football. We had an amazing final in Santiago del Chile's stadium, the whole country watching the game, and that's when you see the love for the national team. Obviously there are also some issues that need to be fixed, we have to tell to everybody to come here to celebrate football, and not to cause troubles."

16. 05:38 Cutaway of Infantino at news conference.

17. 05:43 SOUNDBITE (English) Gianni Infantino, FIFA president:

(On FIFA disciplinary case regarding Bolivia fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier):

"This case is in front of our disciplinary bodies, everyone who has comments to make and those who are sending letters to me they know that as FIFA president I cannot in any case intervene and interfere. But of course the information and the different positions are handed over to the disciplinary bodies who will take the decisions having analysed all the documents. And they are also the masters of the timing, so I don't know when they will take the decision, obviously the sooner the better, so that we have a clear situation in this respect.

18. 06:27 Infantino and Mutko starting the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup countdown clock, with balloons flying in the air and fireworks, then leaving as smoke from fireworks fills the air.

19 06:50 Various close-ups of countdown clock.

DURATION: 07:00.

RESTRICTIONS: SNTV clients only. Scheduled news programmes only. Use within 14 days. If interested in archive use after 14 days please contact www.aparchive.com. Internet use only for SNTV clients with digital rights licensed in their contract. For any questions regarding rights restrictions please contact planning@sntv.com

SHOTLIST: Moscow, Russia. 3 February 2016.

1. 00:00 Former France international Christian Karembeu on stage holding the Confederations Cup

2. 00:06 Journalists

3. 00:11 Confederations Cup

4. 00:16 Countdown ceremony 500 days to the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017

5. 00:21 Screen showing players with cup and the emblem of the Confederations Cup 2017

6. 00:28 SOUNDBITE (Russian) Vitaly Mutko, Russian Sport Minister:

"We invite all fans, not only from Russia but also from the whole world to this tournament. Of course we want the Confederations Cup to take place on a (high) level so that the guests of this tournament would like to come to the World Cup. We hope that the Russian national team performs successfully at this tournament because the potential of our national team is unexplored."

7. 00:51 Football

8. 00:55 SOUNDBITE (Russian) Alexei Sorokin, CEO of the Russia 2018 World Cup organising committee:

"It's important that the entry to Russia will be simplified. The visa-free entry will be guaranteed, as Russia stated in the proposal. As to transportation, we will provide shuttles between airports of all cities and the main objects of the Confederations Cup - stadiums and city centres."

9. 01:19 Journalists

10. 01:24 SOUNDBITE (Russian) Alexei Sorokin, CEO of the Russia 2018 World Cup organising committee:

"Traditionally, the ticket sale starts after the draft. We expect the (ticket) sale to start in the beginning of December. Unfortunately, I can't tell you anything about the prices - it's the responsibility of the tournament organisers, the responsibility of FIFA."

11. 01:40 Officials on stage

12. 01:45 Screen showing stadia in Moscow, Kazan and Sochi and the emblem of the Confederations Cup 2017

13. 02:05 Journalists

14. 02:10 SOUNDBITE (Russian) Vitaly Mutko, Russian Sport Minister:

"There are no reasons for reconsidering the right to hold the World Cup in Russia and Qatar. If they existed, they would have been presented long ago. I think that these conversations are inappropriate two and a half years before (the World Cup starts). We have already passed the point of no return. The schedule is finalised, the structure is set up."

15. 02:30 Journalists

16. 02:35 Christian Karembeu in front of journalists

17. 02:41 SOUNDBITE (English) Christian Karembeu, former France international:

"When we talk about football we can talk about integration, we can talk about sport without discrimination, we can talk about dialogues. And like I said in French that Russia have many ethnics in this country and I think that Russia will give us a great example when we going to come to see the tournament."

18. 03:15 Teenagers posing for photo with Karembeu in front of journalists

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 3:21

STORYLINE:

The countdown to the FIFA Confederations Cup began in Moscow on Wednesday (3 February) with 500 days to go until the tournament commences.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The countdown ceremony marking 500 days to the Confederations Cup 2017 took place in central Moscow on Wednesday.

The tournament emblem was unveiled at the event which was attended by Russian Sport Minister Vitaly Mutko, CEO of the Russia 2018 World Cup LOC Alexei Sorokin and former France international Christian Karembeu plus other officials.

The competition consists of the winners from each FIFA confederation tournament.

As World Cup hosts Russia qualify automatically with Germany, Australia, Chile and Mexico joining them.

The winners of Euro 2016, the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2016 OFC Nations Cup will also compete.

But for the first time in the tournament's history, Brazil don't have a place.

The reigning champions and three-time winners were knocked out on penalties by Paraguay in the quarter-finals of the 2015 Copa America and were humiliated in the semi-finals of the World Cup when they were beaten 7-1 by eventual winners Germany.

Since 2005, the competition has served as a warm-up to the World Cup in the following year.

Four cities will host the 2017 edition: Kazan, Sochi, St Petersburg and Moscow.

With the 2015 Copa America just around the corner, Brazil national team director Gilmar Rinaldi gave a news conference in Teresopolis on Monday (1st June).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Amid the worst crisis in its history, the Brazilian FA (Football Association) (CBF) on Monday welcomed journalists to follow the national team's pre-Copa America training camp at Teresopolis, 120 kilometres outside Rio de Janeiro.

Gilmar Rinaldi talked with media about Brazil's preparations for the competition.

But the team director also had to address the recent investigations into FIFA that are having a ripple effect across soccer-crazy South America.

Former Brazil FA President Jose Maria Marin Marin is one of 14 senior sports officials and marketing executives charged after an investigation by the United States' Department of Justice.

The 83 year-old was arrested in Zurich.

Current president Marco Polo Del Nero, who was one of Marin's vice presidents, said he was "sad" to see his "friend" arrested but denied knowing anything about the accusations involving his former colleague.

Del Nero also denied any wrongdoing in his administration, which began in April, and dismissed any possibility of resigning during this "difficult moment".

Rinaldi revealed that his team do not feel "obligated" to win upcoming tournament in Chile.

He said that the main focus for the "Selecao" is the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and the next World Cup in Russia.

Rinaldi wanted to make clear that his staff have full independence to choose which players should be in the national team.

The 56 year-old also made comments about Neymar's play that infuriated Athletic Bilbao players at the weekend when Barcelona were already winning the Copa del Rey (King's Cup, Spanish).

Brazil will start their Copa America campaign on 14th June against Peru in Temuco.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Last month, the CBF responded to a report in the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that gave details of a contract with a Cayman Islands-based marketing company.

The contract stipulated a 50 per cent financial penalty unless top players like Barcelona striker Neymar are on the field - or others of the same "marketing value".

Luque, Paraguay - FILE - 4th March 2015

1. 00:00 Wide of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, former FIFA Vice President Eugenio Figueredo and CONMEBOL President Juan Angel Napout at CONMEBOL Congress

2. 00:05 Mid of Figueredo, Blatter and Napout at photo opportunity

Teresopolis, Brazil - 1st June 2015

3. 00:09 Zoom out from Brazil FA logo to Team Director Gilmar Rinaldi at news conference

4. 00:19 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On Brazil FA crisis with the arrest of former president Jose Maria Marin).

"We are very calm because they are giving us calmness. We had a meeting with Marco Polo Del Nero (Brazil FA President) and the board of directors and football is completely separated from this issue. We are looking to do our best with all the conditions given. About the other issues, it's not up to me to judge. To nobody. The competent bodies - Brazilian Federal Police, the FBI - and others - will take care of this. What we have to do is focus very hard on our job and do our best, which is our obligation."

Luque, Paraguay - FILE - 4th March 2015

5. 00:54 Mid of CONMEBOL President Juan Angel Napout being greeted by Brazil FA President Marco Polo Del Nero

Teresopolis, Brazil - 1st June 2015

6. 00:59 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On independence to choose players for the national squad).

"Here at CBF, we have 100 per cent independence to do our job, to choose the players that we want for the national squad. Never has anyone suggested any name (to select). I was curious and called (former Brazil Head Coach Luiz Felipe) Scolari last week and asked if this happened with him. He made himself very clear that it never happened with him. I know that Mano (Menezes, former Brazil Head Coach) said the same at an interview. I wanted to make this very clear. Also, because who knows Dunga like you do - a little bit grumpy, with his own way to be - can you imagine someone suggesting or vetoing any name?"

Luque, Paraguay - FILE - 4th March 2015

7. 01:37 Wide of FIFA officials, including former CBF President Jose Maria Marin (second row, third from left to right)

Teresopolis, Brazil - 1st June 2015

8. 01:42 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On Brazil FA administration. Backing up comments made by former team director Carlos Alberto Parreira).

"I think that the CBF is one of the things that works in Brazil. And there are several other things that work here. I lived in Japan for three years and I was very bothered when a Brazilian there said, 'Oh, our country has this, that...' only problems. We have several things that work here."

9. 02:00 Wide of news conference

10. 02:05 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On expectation to win the Copa America).

"I don't think we have an obligation to win the trophy but we have an obligation to work hard to win the trophy. A player for the Brazilian national team must know that he comes with a kit. Pressure is included. If someone is in the national team, it is because he's prepared to deal with pressure and change it into a positive energy if necessary. What we are looking to tell the group of players is that pressure will come but we must know how to control it."

11. 02:38 Mid of journalists

12. 02:43 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Gilmar Rinaldi, Brazil National Team Director:

(On Neymar's play against Athletic Bilbao).

"About Neymar and his play (against Athletic Bilbao), we all know what he did, what he can do and what he can create. It's his natural talent. We will chat. Anytime he does anything to benefit the national team, it won't be a problem. His skills, like the ones from (Lionel) Messi, (Diego) Maradona on his day, Pele, can't be explained. They do fantastic things."

13. 03:18 Wide of Rinaldi leaving news conference

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:27

SNTV Features

The countdown to the UEFA Champions League final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 21 May gathered further impetus when the trophy was handed over in a ceremony in the Russian capital on Thursday (3 April).

Yuri Luzhkov, the Mayor of Moscow, took responsibility for the European Cup which was presented to him by the President of UEFA, Michelle Platini.

The trophy will travel to five Russian football cities before returning to Moscow for the Champions Festival in Red Square ahead of the game.

SUGGESTED VOICEOVER:

The UEFA Champions League final will be staged at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, and as part of the build up to the event, the European Cup arrived in the Russian capital on Thursday.

In a ceremony at the GUM centre in Moscow's Red Square, the 2007 champions, AC Milan, handed the UEFA Champions League trophy back to UEFA President Michel Platini.

He then presented the trophy to the Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, for the city to keep and display to the public until the final on 21 May.

Milan were represented by former player and current technical operations director Leonardo, who helped Brazil win the 1994 World Cup, together with director Umberto Gandini.

Also in attendance were Rinat Dasaev, the former USSR goalkeeper who made his name with Spartak Moscow, and the president of the host association, the Football Union of Russia, Vitaly Mutko.

Since 1997, the previous season's champions have formally returned the UEFA Champions League trophy to UEFA at a special ceremony, with the cup then given to the host city to be showcased until the final.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)

"A fantastic and a very emotional game will take place at our great five stars stadium Luzhniki. There will be a fight for this wonderful prize."

SUPER CAPTION: Yuri Luzhkov, Mayor of Moscow

The trophy is due to visit five major Russian football cities: Kazan (19/20 April); Yekaterinburg (21/22 April); Krasnodar (28/29 April); St Petersburg (6/7 May); and Samara (10/11 May).

It will return to Moscow for the Champions Festival in Red Square ahead of the game.

A celebration party will also enhance the excitement on the eve of the final at the Luzhniki Stadium.

SOUNDBITE: (French)

"For us it's a big day today because we have an opportunity to launch the final in Moscow. It's a great stadium with great teams. We know about the hard work done by the Russian authorities and we know that small problems remain."

SUPER CAPTION: Michelle Platini, President of UEFA

The short tour of the trophy is expected to bring Russians closer to the competition, set the tone for the final, and to offer local fans the opportunity to get close to the iconic club football prize.

The trophy will be exhibited at venues chosen by the municipal authorities.

Admission will be free for the public, and visitors will have the chance to have their photo taken with the silverware.

SHOTLIST: Moscow, Russia. 3 April 2008.

1. 00:00 Exterior of building where the UEFA Champions League trophy (European Cup) ceremony takes place

2. 00:05 5. Wide of ceremony

3. 00:10 Leonardo (left) and Umberto Gandini from AC Milan taking the European Cup to the stage

4. 00:16 Audience and media

5. 00:21 Wide of ceremony

6. 00:26 SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Yuri Luzhkov, Mayor of Moscow

7. 00:53 Cutaway photographers

8. 00:58 Luzhkov receiving the trophy from the President of UEFA, Michelle Platini

9. 01:07 Wide of dancing show

10. 01:13 Girls in national costumes dancing

11. 01:24 Wide of news conference

12. 01:28 Cutaway media

13. 01:33 SOUNDBITE: (French) Michelle Platini, President of UEFA

14. 01:58 Wide of news conference

15. 02:02 Close-up of European Cup

RESTRICTIONS: SNTV clients only. Scheduled news programmes only. Use within 14 days. If interested in archive use after 14 days please contact www.aparchive.com . Internet use only for SNTV clients with digital rights licensed in their contract. For any questions regarding rights restrictions please contact planning@sntv.com

SHOTLIST: Paris, France - 3rd March 2016

1. 00:00 SOUNDBITE: (German) Joachim Loew, Germany manager

"Of course our goal is to win and become European champions. The favourites are Spain, Belgium, France and England - they have become very strong over the last two years in their qualification games. I am looking forward to a thrilling Euro."

2. 00:25 SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Vicente del Bosque, Spain manager

"Yes this is a big responsibility for us since we won last time the title. We are the title holders and want to defend it, this is a huge responsibility for us."

Question: "Who are the favourites?"

"Of course there are favourites in each group - but this is only on paper, it's theory. The reality could be very different, there are six groups in total, Italy is one of the favourites, they are a very powerful team."

Question: "Will you do better than at the World Cup?"

"In sports we know you cannot always win. In Brazil we lost to Netherlands and Chile. Those things happen in sports. We are not fools - we don't think we are the best and that no one can defeat us. That's a good way to start."

3. 01:28 SOUNDBITE: (English) Roy Hodgson, England manager (asked about his expectations for the Euro):

"We expect to play well enough in the tournament to be able to hold our heads high and to be able to leave the tournament knowing that, as much as we were possibly capable of doing, we've not left anything undone or anything unprepared. We understand all of us, especially those of us who have been in football a long time, that we're not talking about a science, we're talking about a game, things happen in games which you can't always control. The one thing you can control in the team's performances. I shall be expecting the team to give good performances every time they go onto the field of play, that's my expectation. A more global expectation will come from left, right and centre and that's nothing that we can control, so we don't concern ourselves with it!"

4. 02:20 SOUNDBITE: (Polish) Adam Nawalka, Poland manager (asked about Poland's chances in France):

++For the benefit of our Polish-speaking clients++

5. 03:05 SOUNDBITE: (Swedish) Erik Hamren, Sweden manager (asked about Sweden's difficult group):

++For the benefit of our Swedish-speaking clients++

6. 03:24 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Coleman, Wales manager (asked about the honour of leading Wales to a major tournament):

"It's not just leading out against England, it's leading them out into a major tournament. The first game is against Slovakia and that's we're concentrating on. Everybody is looking at the England game, Wales v England, it's a great game, it's going to be an unbelievable atmosphere - the Battle of Britain, so to speak. For us it's not just about that one game, it's about the three games, it's about getting the points, it's all about that. We've got to get enough points to get out of the group. First and foremost we've got to tackle Slovakia which will be a tough game but they'll know they're in a tough game as well. Out of ourselves, Russia and Slovakia it's not unthinkable to think that any of us can get out of the group. It's tough for all of us but it's do-able. The honour of leading Wales to a major tournament I can't describe to you how that feels and I can't wait for the moment to come round where we're walking onto the pitch, singing the national anthem, ready to play Slovakia."

7. 04:21 SOUNDBITE: (English) Martin O'Neill, Republic of Ireland manager

"Of course there was disappointment when the draw was made and we all said so, because that's what we felt. We never thought Italy should have been in pot two for a start, they're a pot one side. But anyway, that's gone, be re-enthused, take those qualification games into consideration and take anything that you can lay your hands on in terms of motivation, go get yourself going. But I take your point, when things are really difficult, that's the time that we should get going. I know the players were disappointed with 2012, maybe try and use those experiences to have some sort of bearing on what might happen in June time for us."

8. 05:14 SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael O'Neill, Northern Ireland manager

"There's two things we have to do and one of them is to try and make an impact, we're in a very difficult group with the world champions (Germany) and Poland and Ukraine. But we've always done well I think when we've had to play again higher level - or perceived higher level - opposition, certainly bigger nations, and that's what we'll be aspiring to do in the tournament. We have to believe we can qualify from the group. We have to enjoy the experience of being here as well. I think it's very important for me as a coach at my first tournament, the players, whether they're younger players or players at the tail-end of their international career to enjoy the whole experience as well. Obviously if we compete and we aspire to get out of the group the sense of enjoyment will be greater and that's what we're aspiring to do."

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 06:04

STORYLINE: Joachim Loew, Vicente Del Bosque, Roy Hodgson, Adam Nawalka, Erik Hamren, Chris Coleman Martin O'Neill and Michael O'Neill spoke on Thursday (3rd March) as they looked ahead to this summers 2016 UEFA European Championships in France.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

With the 100 days countdown clock to UEFA 2016 ticking down to 99, the vast majority of the coaches of the 24 nations that will take the field at all over France assembled in Paris on Thursday (3rd March) as the build-up to European football's greatest international stage continues.

For the first time, 24 sides will contest the UEFA European Championship.

The inaugural final tournament in France in 1960 was a four-team affair, expanding to eight in 1980 and doubling in size again in 1996 to 16.

As hosts, France qualified automatically for a tournament which takes place between the 10th June and the 10th July 2016.

They will be joined by 23 qualifiers and the teams will be drawn into groups of four, with the six group winners, six group runners-up and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16 when it becomes a knockout competition.

The Henri Delauney Cup will be lifted by the winning nation's captain at the Stade de France in Paris on the 10th of July - Germany and Spain top the multiple winners' list with three, while France have triumphed twice.

The banned UEFA president Michel Platini - who lifted the trophy in 1984 - is the tournament's highest-ever scorer with nine goals from midfield.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke expressed concerns on Thursday about the progress in World Cup stadiums during a visit to the host country Brazil.

Valcke, the Local Organizing Committee and Brazilian government officials, held a news conference at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Valcke said the stadium in the southern city of Porto Alegre could be the most worrisome.

Brazilian club Internacional and the local government settled a longstanding dispute about how to pay for temporary facilities.

Work has yet to begin on the television compound, security, media and hospitality areas.

"There is a lot of work in Porto Alegre," Valcke said.

"That's why we put a large team from FIFA and the Local Organizing Committee to support their team in order to move on the tender process, to move on the appointment of the company and to make sure that, again, the work can start by the 1st of April," he added.

Valcke is responsible for ensuring Brazil is ready to host the finals 11 weeks before the start of the tournament, which begins on June 12th.

The opening match of the World Cup will be played at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, but the it isn't expected to be ready before mid-April.

The Itaquerao was one of the six stadiums expected to be finished by the end of 2013, but a crane collapse that killed two workers in November caused significant delays.

"You cannot move the opening game of the World Cup here to another stadium. It has to happen in Sao Paulo, there's no other choice! You have thousands of people who have bought their tickets, we have thousands� we have the FIFA Congress, two thousand people coming from around the world to attend the FIFA Congress, all of our member associations, would be at the opening game," Valcke said.

"There's no other choice. And, again, we have to work all together to make sure that it will happen," Valcke added.

Two other stadiums are unfinished ahead of the World Cup - one in the southern city of Curitiba and the other in the wetlands city of Cuiaba.

Valcke insisted on Thursday that the stadiums in Curitiba, Cuiaba and Sao Paulo would be ready before the World Cup gets underway.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - March 27th, 2014.

1. 00:00 Pan of FIFA, Local Organising Committee and Brazilian Government people arriving at news conference.

2. 00:06 Board showing countdown with 77 days to go.

3. 00:10 Mid of News Conference.

4. 00:15 SOUNDBITE: (English) Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General:

"There is a lot of work in Porto Alegre and I would say, in a way, there is lot more than in Sao Paulo, because in Sao Paulo it's one company responsible for the construction, and this company is already on site, this company knows already the stadium and has the power to speed up this construction process in Sao Paulo. So, Porto Alegre, that's why we put a large team from FIFA and the Local Organising Committee to support their team in order to move on the tender process, to move on the appointment of the company and to make sure that, again, the work can start by the 1st of April."

5. 00:53 Detail of World Cup logo.

6. 00:57 SOUNDBITE: (English) Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General:

"I'm very transparent with you: You cannot move the opening game of the World Cup here to another stadium. It has to happen in Sao Paulo, there's no other choice! You have thousands of people who have bought their tickets, we have thousands� we have the FIFA Congress, two thousand people coming from around the world to attend the FIFA Congress, all of our member associations, would be at the opening game. You have Heads of State, you have a structure where the opening game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will happen in Sao Paulo. There's no othter choice. And, again, we have to work all together to make sure that it will happen. So, Legal Action? I mean, we have enough legal action against FIFA against of all of us in Brazil. We don't need to initiate one ourselves."

7. 01:43 Board showing list of counties who have allocated more tickets.

8. 01:49 SOUNDBITE (English) Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General:

"The host city agreement, yes, it was signed a long, long time ago, so, there is no surprise: All is written, all is signed, all the responsibility or duties from each party is very well known. And, again, these host cities have been decided by and with the Brazilian Local Organising Committee - and even at the highest level - and there is no surprise. So, it's happening. And it is a lesson that definitely we will act differently and we will have to find a different way of working for Russia 2018."

9. 02:28 Mid of Valcke with Jose Maria Marin, Local Organising Committee President.

10. 02:32 SOUNDBITE (English) Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General:

"Why would you take away from Brazil the organisation of this World Cup? It's true that� cities (I mean), okay, cities, It's true that in some situations� I mean, it's a challenge and it's an organisation which is just not FIFA seating in Zurich, looking at the map and saying: You, out. You, in. You, down. You, up. I mean, you already don't like us, I mean, then you would hate us. if we have done that."

11. 03:02 Wide of press conference.

Local Organising Committee Director in Ukraine Markiyan Lubkivsky on Tuesday (29th May) described Sol Campbell comments as "insolent", after the former England defender warned fans not to travel to the UEFA European Championships in Ukraine and Poland because of fears of racism and violence.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The Ukrainian city of Kiev marked ten days to go until the start of the UEFA European Championships on Tuesday (29th May), which Ukraine are co-hosting with Poland.

But it was a day that the Local Organising Committee Director in Ukraine Markiyan Lubkivsky came out in defence of Ukraine and Poland, after former England defender Sol Campbell warned fans to stay away from Euro 2012 because of fears of racism and violence.

Lubkivsky described Campbell's comments as "insolent" and added "I don't see any dangers for citizens of different nationalities to stay in Ukraine".

Campbell told BBC's Panorama programme that the tournament should never have been awarded to Poland and Ukraine and advised fans to "stay home, watch it on TV".

With ten days remaining until the start of the tournament fan zones are being constructed in the four host cities in Ukraine.

Lubkivsky said that there were concerns about the stadia or airports, which he said were ready for the tournament.

The first round of matches at Euro 2012 are on June 8th when Poland host Greece, followed by Russia's game with the Czech Republic.

The first match to take place in Ukraine will be on June 9th when the Netherlands face Denmark at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, followed by Germany's match against Portugal at Arena Lviv in Lviv.

Kiev will have to wait until June 11th to host its first match when the co-hosts Ukraine play Sweden in a Group D game.

SHOTLIST: Kiev, Ukraine - 29th May 2012.

1. 00:00Various of shot of Kiev pedestrian area with preparations of fan zone

2. 00:10 Mid shot of Euro 2012 fan shop

3. 00:14 Close up of sign

4. 00:20 Wide of building with Euro 2012 countdown clock

5. 00:24 Mid shot of Euro 2012 countdown clock

6. 00:28 Close up of Euro 2012 countdown clock

7. 00:34 Wide of people setting up tents on street

8. 00:45 Various of signs with Euro 2012 logos

9. 00:55 Various of people walking

10. 01:04 Wide Local Organising Committee of Ukraine press conference

11. 01:08 Close up of Euro 2012 logo

12. 01:12 SOUNDBITE: (Ukrainian) Markiyan Lubkivsky, Local Organising Committee Director in Ukraine (Responding to former England international Sol Campbell's comments that England fans shouldn't travel to Ukraine because of the threat of racism and violence): "I don't see any dangers for citizens of different nationalities to stay in Ukraine. We will be glad to see everybody. We are getting ready for the great football festival. Well, if the player (Sol) Campbell has such a vision, than it is his own point of view, and it can not be projected for the whole country. On the other hand, it (his statement) is simply insolent for us, and we do not understand the aim of such a statement. The best way is to come and to get fun from football."

13. 01:51 Cut away Logo

14. 01:55 SOUNDBITE: (Ukrainian) Markiyan Lubkivsky, Local Organising Committee Director in Ukraine (Saying that stadia and airport are ready to host Euro 2012) " We have no questions about all our airports, the same goes for all our stadia. All of us are waiting for a wonderful championship."

15. 02:05 Various shots of National Olympic stadium in Kiev

SOURCE: SNTV

Pele says that he has "nothing against" Sepp Blatter's new re-election bid.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Once a violent site of Rio de Janeiro, the favela of Morro da Mineira has been pacified by Police forces over the last years.

This Wednesday (September 10th), the shanty town saw another step on the peacekeeping in the region with the re-inauguration of their local pitch.

Completely refurbished, the place became a scientific experiment organised by Rio de Janeiro State Government and private sponsors.

The court had installed an innovative combination of kinetic tile technology and solar panels that will power floodlights above the pitch in the evening hours.

The ambassador of the project is Brazilian football legend Pele, who paid a visit to the pitch.

But he also talked about football.

"O Rei" told SNTV that Brazil's 7-1 loss to Germany at the last World Cup semifinal was "a disaster", "a big surprise in football. A negative one" for his countrymen.

However, he believes that his nation will come stronger over the next four years after being rebuilt to try to win in Russia.

He approved Brazil's FA choice of having Dunga returning to the position of national head coach.

He says that he knows him personally and that he will have success "if he applies serious work".

Pele disagreed with the idea that all hopes should be put into Barcelona's star Neymar.

The 3-time World Cup winner told that Neymar "will not win a World Cup alone. Brazil needs several numbers 10" to play with him.

Pele also shared his views on Sepp Blatter's decision to run for a fifth, four year term as FIFA President.

Despite ongoing corruption scandals engulfing FIFA and opposition within UEFA, Blatter appears to have retained the support of most national federations.

Pele says that he "has nothing against" the swiss decision, even though he recognised Blatter have said before that he would not run for it.

The Pitch at Morro da Mineira uses 200 high-tech, underground tiles that capture kinetic energy created by the movement of the players.

This energy is then stored and combined with the power generated by solar panels next to the pitch to convert into renewable electricity for the new floodlights.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The project idea came from a British company called Pavegen. Its founder, Lawrence Kemball-Cook, said that his initial idea came from watching people at rail platforms, on how people walking could provide power to a station.

Changing to football, he says that he plans to see, in a near future, his technology at World Cup stadiums.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 10 September 2014

1. 00:00 Pan of pitch at Morro da Mineira Favela

2. 00:08 Mid of house at Morro da Mineira

3. 00:13 Wide of man pushing a one of the electric plates who provides energy

4. 00:18 Wide of kids playing at pitch at Morro da Mineira

5. 00:23 SOUNDBITE (English) Pele (Q: Why do you think the game in Brazil needs to change?)

"I think not because Brazil lost 7-1 (to Germany) or because they lost 3-1 (to the Netherlands) but I think the opportunity for the World Cup is four years from now. Everything can change. I think even if Brazil were the Champions of the World, for the next World Cup there will be changes because of the players. Some players already are at the end of their careers but there is no doubt that now we will quickly make the changes because Brazil doesn't have a problem with players. The difficulty is the organisation to get together for training."

6. 01:07 Travelling pan of kids playing at Morro da Mineira pitch

7. 01:12 SOUNDBITE (English) Pele (Q: How do you think Rio de Janeiro will fare as the host city for the 2016 Olympics?)

"We're going to do our best to organise a nice Olympics. The World Cup was good but that's a little bit different. But I think there is no doubt that we're going to have in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil a very nice organisation for the Olympics."

8. 01:36 Pan of News Conference

9. 01:46 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Pele

"There's no need to explain that what happened was a disaster. We had expectations of a different result. But this is something of football. We always have big surprises in football and, unfortunately, it was a negative surprise for us."

10. 02:10 Mid of kids holding themselves to watch glimpse of news conference with Pele

11. 02:14 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Pele

"Dunga was already the head coach of Brazil. He is a trustworthy person. I know him personally, know how serious he is. But it won't be hard to have the national team rebuilt. The only thing we need is a more serious work."

12. 02:42 Mid of News Conference

13. 02:47 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Pele

"To have a good national team, it's not just the number 10. I think we need a team. Neymar, alone, will not win a World Cup. Neymar is a very good player, raised at our Santos FC, but he, himself, will not win a World Cup by himself. We need several numbers 10 to win a World Cup."

14. 03:12 Wide of News Conference

15. 03:16 Various of Pele getting emotional during news conference

16. 03:29 Mid of Morro da Mineira residents at the pitch stands

17. 03:34 Mid of Pele greeting Morro da Mineira residents

18. 03:38 Close of Pele greeting Morro da Mineira residents

19. 03:43 SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Pele

"I am someone who can talk about these hot issues of a president staying too much time in power. Since I have been working with FIFA, first as a player and then part of their commission, we have been lucky, because I have never had a problem with him. President (Sepp) Blatter had been given some interviews saying that he was not going to continue, that he was going to quit. But it does not happen. I have nothing against it.

20. 04:20 Detail of light being powered by activity on the pitch

21. 04:24 Wide of Pele ending countdown to turn the lights of Morro da Mineira pitch