By Paul Nicholson
August 17 – South Korea’s Chung Mong-Joon officially launched his FIFA presidency bid this morning in Paris saying that he would be a “crisis manager and a reformer” if he were elected. He said that under his leadership FIFA would not become a Eurocentric organisation and that he would take just one term to reinvent the governing body.
By Paul Nicholson
August 17 – The war between Nyon and Zurich escalated at the weekend with UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino writing to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke complaining of a smear campaign against UEFA president Michel Platini and asking FIFA to investigate a letter that was circulated to Swiss and German newspapers.
By Ricardo Setyon
August 14 – Having spent Father’s Day with his family, Zico is now in Goa, India, relaxing in a top 5-star hotel but plotting a dual course – his Goa FC club’s assault on the Indian Super League, and his personal campaign for the FIFA presidency.
August 14 – Michel Platini has chosen Friday, August 28, to fully explain his decision to go for the FIFA presidency on February 26 just months after deciding he didn’t want the job.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 13 – Another unfamiliar figure has emerged to stake a claim to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president. Former Trinidad and Tobago international midfielder David Nakhid , who played 35 times for his country, is the latest name to say he will stand in February’s election.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 13 – Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan is back on the offensive and again questioning Michel Platini’s credentials as being the best candidate to take over as FIFA president in succession to Sepp Blatter who is standing down on February 26.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 12 – South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon will formally launch his bid to take on Michel Platini to become FIFA president early next week – right in the UEFA chief’s own backyard.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 11 – Francois Carrard, former director-general of the International Olympic Committee, has been confirmed by FIFA as the independent head of its much-trumpeted Reform Task Force set up in the wake of the worst corruption crisis to hit the organisation in its 111-year history.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 10 – FIFA is understood to be on the verge of officially announcing the various representatives on its much-touted Reform Task Force which it hopes will bring about much-needed change to the way the organisation is both run and perceived.
August 7 – McDonald’s has re-iterated its demand for FIFA to appoint an independent reform commission to help restore the organisation’s credibility.
By David Owen in Kuala Lumpur
August 3 – Sepp Blatter, FIFA President at least for another six months, has ceased to be a member of world sport’s most powerful club.
By Paul Nicholson
August 1 – The name of Tokyo Sexwale is being whispered as a potential candidate for the FIFA presidency with business leaders and politicians apparently encouraging the South African businessman to consider running for football’s top job and bring about the global change the organisation needs.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 31 – Claims that Michel Platini is already odds-on favourite to win the FIFA presidency on February 26 is being tested by some choice remarks from CONCACAF, purportedly one of four confederations behind him, and by Africa.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Twenty-four hours after declaring he was running for FIFA president, UEFA chief Michel Platini has learned the identity of his first rival for the job, with former FIFA vice president Chung Mong-joon saying he too intends to throw his hat into the ring to take over from Sepp Blatter on February 26.
By Mark Baber
July 28 – The on-pitch rivalry between Zico and Platini, two of the greatest goalscoring midfielders ever to grace a football pitch, may be played out again in FIFA’s halls of power if the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) accedes to Zico’s request to put his name forward for FIFA president.