Zidane doesn’t want any cards for Christmas as Real face Al Jazira at Club World Cup
December 13 – Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is praying that none of his players pick up red and yellow cards in the FIFA Club World Cup.
FIFA
Nigeria sanctioned for illegible player in 2018 qualifier vs Algeria, but still on road to Russia
December 13 – FIFA has annulled Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Algeria in a World Cup qualifier last month and fined the Nigeria Football Federation CHF 6,000 for fielding an ineligible player.
Real Madrid set sights on Club World Cup final and either Gremio or Pachuca
By Samindra Kunti
December 12 – Real Madrid will seek to defend their Club World Cup title this week in a bid to revive their season. Gremio from Brazil and Pachuca from Mexico look to be their biggest challengers in the tournament that kicked off in the United Arab Emirates last Wednesday.
Pieth adds to criticism of Infantino’s ethically-challenged new FIFA
December 12 – FIFA’s original governance guru has come out of the shadows to describe the organisation under Gianni Infantino as a laughing stock that has actually gone backwards from the days of Sepp Blatter when it comes to meaningful reform.
Former EU chief slaughters Infantino’s integrity and Rojas’s credentials in FIFA ethics report
By Andrew Warshaw
December 11 – FIFA’s highly controversial decision to purge its senior governance officials last May with the backing of Gianni Infantino has been seriously called into question in a scathing attack by the Council of Europe.
2018 World Cup ticket demand rockets with 1.3m requests in 24 hours
December 7 – It has been a slow burn but ticket sales have suddenly ignited for the Russia 2018 World Cup following the Final Draw last Friday. 1,318,109 tickets were requested in the first 24 hours from when the sales window opened December 6.
Aussies stay in control of FFA as FIFA commits to another round of reform talk
December 7 – Australian football has won a stay of execution after FIFA decided not to take over the running of the sport in the midst of an internal power struggle.
Champagne moment for FIFA as limited-edition bottle launched by Taittinger
By David Owen
December 7 – It may come as a bit of a kick in the teeth to Russia’s sparkling wine industry, but Taittinger has just launched a limited-edition 2018 World Cup souvenir bottle of its highly-regarded Brut Réserve NV champagne.
Bility and Liberian FA accelerate war on whistleblower Woodson, with second suspension
By Paul Nicholson
December 6 – The iron fist of democracy with which Musa Bility rules the Liberian FA (LFA) has once again landed on his arch critic Rochell Woodson who has been suspended for a second time by the LFA from fulfilling her duties as an executive committee member.
Mexican stand-off? Speculation on World Cup hosting borders on fantasy? But it’s a good tale
December 6 – Unlikely as it may seem, FIFA are reportedly considering the option of pushing back Qatar’s staging of the World Cup to 2026 because of the current impasse in the area – and splitting 2022 between the United States, Canada and Mexico who are bidding for the later tournament.
Gulati calls an end to his US presidency after 12 years at the top
December 5 – After considerable reflection Sunil Gulati has ruled himself out of contesting the presidential election for the US Soccer Federation (USSF). Gulati is standing aside after the United States’ abject failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and having been head of the USSF for 12 years.
Clubs to get $8.5k per player per day from 2018 World Cup
By David Owen
December 5 – Clubs which supply squad members for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia can look forward to massively increased payments of around $8,530 per player per day, in recognition of their “contribution to the successful staging” of the tournament.
Whistleblower puts Chiyangwa on Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption commission radar
December 4 – The conduct of Zimbabwean football boss Philip Chiyangwa (pictured), an ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has been called into question in his own country amid allegations of corruption.
It’s official. US-led North America and Morocco to face off for 2026 hosting
December 1 – If they weren’t before, they are now. The gloves are officially off in the race for the hosting of the 2026 World Cup. USA, Mexico and Canada submitted their 2026 World Cup bid, as did Morocco, before the November 30 deadline.
French police question former FIFA VP Temarii in Tahiti over corruption allegations
December 1 – French police have questioned former FIFA vice-president Reynald Temarii (pictured) in their investigation into suspected corruption in connection with the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process.