Shortlist revealed for adidas Golden Ball

A meeting of the FIFA Futsal Committee, chaired by Manilal Fernando, was held this morning in Bangkok. Several important issues regarding Thailand 2012, future editions of the FIFA Futsal World Cup and the general development of futsal were discussed, with a few of the key points outlined below. adidas Golden Ball contenders The FIFA Technical Study Group presented its five-strong shortlist for the player of the tournament award, a list which comprises two players from Brazil (Fernandinho, Neto), two from Spain (Kike, Torras) and Portugal’s Ricardinho. The winner will be determined on the final day by votes from the TSG and the assembled media. Referees announced It was revealed that Peru’s Hector Rojas will take charge of the final, while the third-place match between Italy and Colombia will be overseen by Jose Katemo of Angola. Doping tests A total of 96 doping samples were conducted up to and including the quarter-finals, all of which were analysed at a WADA-accredited laboratory in Bangkok. All samples proved negative. Bidding for 2016 It was announced that six nations - Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Iran, Puerto Rico and Spain - have submitted bids to host the next edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2016. A final decision on where the tournament will take place will be taken by the FIFA Executive Committee in May of next year.   Developing women’s futsal With a third women’s international competition due to take place in Portugal next month, the Committee also made a firm pledge to review elite futsal competitions for female players. FIFA