FIFA set to clamp down on big club player loan deals
By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – FIFA are to put a stop to elite clubs sending unlimited numbers of players out on loan, according to reports from Germany.
FIFA
World XI shortlist omits France’s World Cup captain Lloris but includes Buffon
September 11 – Legendary Italian Gianluigi Buffon is shortlisted for the goalkeeping award in the 2018 FIFPro World XI despite being second choice at Paris Saint-Germain with France’s World Cup winning captain Hugo Lloris surprisingly missing out.
FIFA lengthens Nyantakyi’s ban as investigation continues
September 6 – FIFA has extended its ban from all football activities on Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi, the second most powerful official in African football, by an additional 45 days.
Griezmann grizzles at being left off FIFA’s Best shortlist, after all, he did win a World Cup
September 6 – French star Antoine Griezmann insists he deserves to be on the podium for this year’s FIFA best player awards after winning the World Cup for France and the Europa League for Atletico Madrid.
Modric aims for double of UEFA and FIFA player of the year awards; Ronaldo to be 2nd again?
By Andrew Warshaw
September 4 – Having recently been named UEFA’s player of the year, prompting some adverse comments by Cristiano Ronaldo’s entourage, Luka Modric has been backed to end the long dominance of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when it comes to the equivalent FIFA prize that will be announced later this month at a star-studded ceremony in London.
FIFA’s bell tolls for UEFA legal chiefs to join Infantino’s new world order
September 4 – Within just a couple of weeks of losing their long-standing legal brain Marco Villiger, FIFA have swooped to secure the services of Alasdair Bell, the equally astute legal director at UEFA according to reports.
Ceferin backs Brits for 2030, but says there must be only one bid from Europe
By Samindra Kunti
September 3 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has backed a British bid for the 2030 World Cup, and insists that Europe should stick to just one bid to maintain unity on the continent.
Political house cleaning: Guzman suspension extended
September 3 – Osiris Guzman, the former Dominican Republic federation president who famously once used a speech to compare Sepp Blatter to Jesus Christ, Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill all rolled into one, has had his own ban extended by FIFA for a further 45 days.
Bid talk: British FA’s commit to feasibility study on joint World Cup 2030 bid
By Andrew Warshaw
August 31 – The Scottish and Welsh FAs have confirmed that exploratory talks are under way for a UK bid for the 2030 World Cup – even though South America would probably be regarded as favourites.
FIFA sends in ‘normalisation’ team to run Ghana FA
August 31 – Ghana is the latest country to see its football affairs come under the temporary control of FIFA after world football’s governing body set up one of its trademark normalisation committees in the wake of ongoing crisis.
Morocco looking to Spain and Portugal for joint 2030 World Cup bid, says report
By Andrew Warshaw
August 30 – Morocco, it seems, is stopping at nothing and devising every possible scenario in its bid to finally land the World Cup.
Leaders of the free world meet; media gets a red card
By Paul Nicholson
August 29 – It was a moment worthy of the reality show star that he is and the global leader he wants to be seen as. US president Donald Trump met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House yesterday to bang the drum for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in North America.
Palestine’s Rajoub to appeal ban as PFA questions speed of ‘absurd’ ban
By Andrew Warshaw
August 28 – The head of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, has rejected his one-year ban by FIFA and says he will appeal against what his federation described as a sanction that was “disproportionate, absurd, and lacking in evidence.”
CAF contenders undergo integrity checks in race for FIFA Council seat
August 28 -The six candidates for the vacant African seat on the FIFA Council will undergo integrity checks by FIFA before their participation in next month’s poll is confirmed according to the BBC.
Shot down in flames: FIFA hands Rajoub match ban over inflammatory Messi comments
By Andrew Warshaw
August 24 – In a hard-hitting ruling that could well enflame tension in the region but will be viewed by others as a logical move, FIFA has handed outspoken Palestinian FA leader Jibril Rajoub a one-year match ban and fined him 20,000 Swiss francs for inflammatory remarks made against Lionel Messi.