Down but not out? Blatter considers suing FIFA in Switzerland
February 2 – Sepp Blatter may be yesterday’s man but says he is not yet resigned with being for ever tarnished with having broken ethics rules.
FIFA
Global transfer spend hits $6.37bn in 2017, says TMS report
By Andrew Warshaw
January 31 – As the winter transfer window in Europe draws to a close, the eye-watering scale of global spending on players has been laid bare by FIFA’s latest Transfer Market Report.
No gifts, no bungs, no collusion. Is 2026 World Cup the most boring FIFA vote ever?
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – As serious lobbying for the 2026 World Cup gets under way, FIFA has reminded its federations not to break strict new guidelines when it comes to their dealings with the two contenders ahead of the vote in June.
FIFA grounds jet-set culture reducing spending by 88%, finds report
January 29 – A confidential report commissioned by FIFA president Gianni Infantino into the organisation’s financial workings before he took over from Sepp Blatter has uncovered an eye-watering spending spree by the old guard, most of whom have now been forced out including Blatter and his one-time right-hand man, Jerome Valcke.
Del Nero faces FIFA ethics investigators saying he has done nothing wrong
January 23 – Marco Polo del Nero has maintained his total innocence of bribery and corruption laid against him by the United States Justice Department’s FIFAGate inquiry in a cross examination by FIFA’s ethics investigation.
Coke takes World Cup Trophy on a 91-stop, 51country global journey
January 23 – The global leg of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour sponsored by Coca-Cola kicked off with an official launch ceremony in London on Monday and plans to hit 91 cities across 51 countries and six continents.
Gulati accused of leveraging his FIFA power to withhold youth player compensation
January 22 – With US Soccer president Sunil Gulati and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani about to begin their charm offensive in Europe for the North American bid for the 2026 World Cup, Gulati has been hit with new problems.
Norwegian FA boss tells FIFA to speed up Russian doping probe. Russian cry foul
By Andrew Warshaw
January 22 – The head of Norway’s FA has called on FIFA to step up its investigation into the Russian doping scandal and even consider a ban, comments that have prompted a furious response from his Russian counterpart.
Did Trump’s ‘shithole’ comments turn a 2026 ‘Dead Cert’ into football’s poisoned pill?
By Andrew Warshaw
January 19 – The global perception of the United States under Donald Trump could pose a direct threat to the country’s bid to jointly stage the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico according to bid leader Sunil Gulati (pictured).
IFAB head to Zurich for crucial talks on whether to implement VAR at Russia 2018
January 19 – Football’s lawmaking body, the International FA Board, has confirmed that video assistant refereeing will be the main focus of attention at Monday’s interim business meeting in Zurich.
Suspended Brazilian chief Del Nero to face FIFA Ethics questioning via video link
January 18 – Brazilian FA boss Marco Del Nero, who escaped being put on trial for his alleged role in the FIFAGate scandal since his country has no extradition treaty with the United States, is to contest his FIFA ban on Friday – via video link from Rio de Janeiro .
Nicaragua’s Rocha dies in US before sentencing in FIFAGate case
January 15 – Two months after being banned for life, one of the highest profile figures in the FIFAGate corruption scandal, former Nicaragua Football Federation chief Julio Rocha has died after battling with cancer.
Morocco staff up for 2026 World Cup bid, its fifth time of asking
January 12 – Morocco’s Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, has been appointed head of the country’s Bid Committee for the 2026 World Cup.
Cash for clout. Austrian prosecutors investigate FIFA vote-buying allegations
January 11 – FIFA has become embroiled in yet another unwanted potential scandal after Austrian prosecutors revealed they were investigating the head of the country’s national federation (OeFB) Leo Windtner (pictured) over a payment from FIFA in the build-up to Sepp Blatter’s re-election as president in 2015.
Calm after the storm. EU cosies up to FIFA for governance love-in
By Andrew Warshaw
January 11 – Little more than a month after the Council of Europe issued a scathing attack on FIFA’s governance, the two organisations have agreed to work closer together and strengthen co-operation.