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November 23 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter (pictured) has called a crisis meeting of the Executive Committee following a series of incidents that have rocked football, including Thierry Henry’s handball and allegations of widespread match-fixing in Europe.
Henry’s blatant handball in the second leg of France’s play-off against the Republic of Ireland in Paris last Wednesday to set up William Gallas for the decisive goal in the tie left FIFA exposed to widespread criticism, particularly after it ruled against a replay of the match.
In the same week, German prosecutors announced the results of their investigations with European governing body UEFA into a massive betting ring, who have allegedly rigged the results over 200 matches, including Europa League and Champions League matches.
Blatter has not made a public comment as the row over Henry’s handball raged, but today FIFA issued a statement announcing the special meeting in Cape Town on December 2, two days ahead of the draw for the World Cup finals in South Africa.
A statement from FIFA said: ”Due to recent events in the world of football, namely incidents at the play-offs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, match control [refereeing] and irregularities in the football betting market, the FIFA President has called an extraordinary meeting of the executive committee.”
It did not go into any detail about the incidents referred too, but there was also widespread fan violence at the African play-offs between Algeria and Egypt as well as the furore created by Henry’s assist, which was not spotted by referee Martin Hansson.
FIFA has been urged to introduce video replays and employ extra match officials in the wake of the incident which was seen by millions who watched the match on television.
A total of 17 arrests have already been made in the German corruption probe which a UEFA official at the press conference in Bochum last Friday called the “most serious” facing his organisation.
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