Platini has first stage of ethics appeal rejected
October 27 – As anticipated, Michel Platini’s appeal against his 90-day suspension has not got off to the best of starts, with the first of many stages in the process thrown out.
FIFA
Chung pulls out of FIFA race but despite ban promises this isn’t the end
October 27 – South Korea’s Chung Mong-Joon has officially pulled out of the race for FIFA presidency as he conceded defeat in the wake of his six-year ban from football as a result of his conduct during the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
UEFA take back-up option and put Infantino into FIFA presidential race
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Europe have got the back-up FIFA presidential candidate they were desperate for, with UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino opting to do Michel Platini’s bidding despite assuring anyone who would listen only 10 days ago that there was no plan B in the race to succeed Sepp Blatter.
Salman becomes sixth entry into the FIFA presidency race
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Seizing his chance now that his own previous preference, Michel Platini, could be ruled out of the running, Asian football supremo Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has formally entered the race to become FIFA president.
Sexwale joins the race to take the FIFA throne
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Tokyo Sexwale, the South African former political prisoner turned successful businessman, has finally confirmed he is standing for FIFA president and will prove a popular choice among those who have been campaigning for an independent candidate untarnished by footballing corruption.
Exclusive: Euro chiefs in emergency powwow over FIFA candidates
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – European football chiefs hold last-ditch talks on Monday aimed at averting the risk being left in the political wilderness for years.
Champagne uncorks FIFA bid with manifesto and ‘restoration’ promises
By Andrew Warshaw
October 23 – In a strategic move now that his nemesis faces being out of contention, former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne is having a second crack at the presidency – and this time says has the required level of support.
Exclusive: Villar was lone voice opposing FIFA’s ‘name and shame’ vote
By Andrew Warshaw
October 22 – Angel Villar Llona, the controversial FIFA vice-president on a new list of prominent officials facing possible sanction for corruption or wrongdoing, tried to block this week’s ground-breaking move that gave ethics investigators freedom to publish the names of those being probed.
FIFA confirms ethics probe into Beckenbauer and Villar, verdict due
By Andrew Warshaw
October 21 – Frank Beckenbauer and Angel Villar Ilona, two names that have repeatedly been mentioned in unsubstantiated reports about alleged wrongdoing during their time with FIFA, have both been formally investigated by the ethics committee and are awaiting verdicts.
Chung now turns to CAS claiming ‘sabotage’ after Swiss court rejects FIFA complaint
By Andrew Warshaw
October 21 – Former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon’s hopes of taking over from Sepp Blatter are hanging by a thread after a Swiss court rejected his request to temporarily lift his six-year ban so that he can stand as a candidate at the election on February 26.
Scala turns up FIFA reform heat and asks the SFr2m question
By Andrew Warshaw
October 21 – Domenico Scala, the increasingly influential official who has the ultimate say in who can and can’t run for FIFA president, has delivered a potentially fatal blow to Michel Platini’s hopes of taking over from Sepp Blatter at the end of February in the event the Frenchman’s 90-day suspension is lifted.
FIFA’s ethics committee granted power to name those under investigation
By Andrew Warshaw
October 21- FIFA’s unprecedented corruption crisis is set to get a whole lot worse when its independent Ethics Committee lifts the veil of secrecy on a list of further officials who are under investigation but could not previously be named.
FIFA door kept open for Platini as exco receives Carrard’s reform proposals
By Andrew Warshaw
October 20 – The February 26 FIFA presidential election date will go ahead as planned with all attention now focussed on who will put their names forward to succeed Sepp Blatter by next Monday’s midnight deadline.
Europeans push van Praag to step up again for FIFA presidency race
By Andrew Warshaw
October 20 – UEFA are considering lining up Dutch FA boss Michael van Praag (pictured) for another crack at the FIFA presidency if, as anticipated, Michel Platini’s candidacy goes up in smoke.
Dodd says FIFA reform is more important than presidential elections
By Andrew Warshaw
October 19 – As FIFA’s executive committee prepares to meet in emergency session to consider the fallout from Sepp Blatter’s 90-day suspension, its Australian member Moya Dodd says cleaning up the organisation after the worst corruption crisis in sporting history is far more important than whoever takes over as president.