Finalists line-up for FIFA Interactive World Cup finals in London
July 31 – Eight more qualifiers have made their way through to the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final to be held in London August 15-17.
FIFA
Greek FA set to return to home rule, but only under FIFA’s watchful eye
By Paul Nicholson
July 27 – The chaos of Greek football might be resolving with long awaited federation elections on August 18 and the removal of the normalisation committee imposed by FIFA, but the Greeks will not be left completely on their own.
Jailed Villar quits VP roles at FIFA and UEFA. Larrea steps up in Spain
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – The career of Angel Maria Villar, one of the last remaining members of football’s political old guard who somehow managed to maintain his status while friends and colleagues were being swallowed up by scandal, is now effectively over after the seemingly untouchable lawyer resigned as vice-president of FIFA and UEFA.
Morocco set to bid for 2026 World Cup with 100% support of Africa
By Andrew Warshaw
July 27 – Morocco have decided to gamble once again and take on the joint might of north America and Mexico in a bid to host the 2026 World Cup, according to leading Confederation of African Football (CAF) official Amaju Pinnick.
Exclusive: Battered, bruised and bitter Mayne-Nicholls is back in the game
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the FIFA-appointed official who led the inspection team that evaluated the credentials of all 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding candidates, has emerged from his prolonged silence with all guns blazing to launch a blistering attack on those he says turned his life into a “nightmare”.
FIFA says Cameroon complaint on CAS ruling, Infantino and Samoura is still to be decided
By Paul Nicholson
July 17 – FIFA has written to Cameroon club Etoile Filante to emphasise that its Disciplinary Committee has not yet ruled on the complaint that a Court of Aribitration for Sport (CAS) decision that would immediately suspend Cameroon FA (Fecafoot) president Tombi A Roko Sidiki was not being followed.
FIFA refuses to implement CAS decision on Cameroon saying ‘it isn’t our ball’
By Paul Nicholson
July 13 – FIFA has wriggled out of responsibility to enable it to continue to support an unelected president of a national federation, claiming it is not the “competent” authority to enforce the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that Tombi A Roko Sidiki is unlawfully holding the position of Cameroon FA (Fecafoot) president.
Bility faces renewed corruption allegations but FIFA still remains silent
By Paul Nicholson
July 14 – Controversial Liberian FA president Musa Bility (pictured), a member of the Confederation of African Football executive committee, is under renewed allegations from stakeholders in his own federation who claim that he is “embezzling” funds from the federation and FIFA grant money.
Gianni’s legends called up for an evening with Infantino in Brig, and a match
July 11 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose first act in his new job 18 months ago was to host a star-studded Legends match at his new office in Zurich, something of a vanity project, organised a similar event last week after inviting some of the world’s finest ex-players (and one of two present ones) to dust off their boots for an exhibition game in his home town of Brig.
McDonald’s adds to FIFA sponsor concerns with rumours it is going cold on Russia 2018
July 10 – With the World Cup in Russia less than a year away, one of FIFA’s top front-line sponsors, McDonald’s, have been in discussions about a possible withdrawal due to ethical concerns.
Storm after the calm. Deal falls apart as FIFA suspend Sudan for government meddling
July 10 – FIFA has suspended the Sudan Football Association (SFA) with immediate effect after the government refused to reinstate FIFA-recognised SFA president Dr Mutasim Gaafar ahead of the Sudan Ministry of Justice recognised General Abdel Rahman Sir Elkatim.
USA, Canada, Mexico form 2026 World Cup bid board
By Paul Nicholson
July 7 – USA, Canada and Mexico have officially formed a United Bid Committee for their joint pitch to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the deadline for the submission of the formal bid to FIFA being 16 March 2018, the Bid Committee will begin discussion with potential host cities and stakeholders immediately.
Paperwork FIFA doesn’t want. Infantino report has not made it to Rojas yet
By Andrew Warshaw
July 4 – Fresh revelations by the German news magazine Der Spiegel have added another layer of intrigue over whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino was under renewed investigation at the time both of FIFA’s two main ethics bosses were relieved of their duties in May.
FIFA insists VAR is ending ‘big’ mistakes. But even when it is ‘clearly wrong’?
By Andrew Warshaw
July 3 – The future of football or an expensive counter-productive exercise? The jury seems very much to still be out when it comes to video technology following the conclusion of the Confederations Cup.
Confed Cup closes with a German win, a pop at Grindel and praise for Russia – doping apart
By Samindra Kunti in St Petersburg
July 3 – Gianni Infantino praised Russia for its staging of the Confederations Cup, but doping allegations cast a shadow over the tournament’s end. The FIFA president vowed that Russia will face disciplinary proceedings if the doping allegations surrounding their team at the 2014 World Cup are proven.