By Paul Nicholson
August 20 – FIFA has taken steps with its six confederations to create a global club licensing framework that will set a minimum standards required by clubs in key areas like stadium safety, fan experience and youth football development. FIFA said the new licensing framework will be in place by the end of 2016.
By Paul Nicholson
August 20 – There is a lot of talk about FIFA reform, but the talk is in general very short on detail. To date the focus has been on corruption and its prevention, with reform measures being focused around issues like age and term of tenure and ‘fit and proper’ person tests, financial governance and independent governors. Lurking below the surface of this talk is a much deeper issue – that of the one-man (it is usually a man) one-vote system.
By Mark Baber
August 19 – Former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon’s entry into the FIFA presidential race on Tuesday has quickly dispelled any notion the contenders may pull their punches. The South Korean accused rival Michel Platini of having been too close to a corrupt FIFA and president Sepp Blatter. Response to his comments has been swift.
By Mark Baber
August 18 – It emerged on Monday that a radical plan presented to the FIFA executive committee on July 20 by Domenico Scala, the independent chairman of FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee charged by outgoing president Sepp Blatter with implementing reforms, envisaged the abolition of the executive committee and its replacement by a separate management committee and governing council.
By Paul Nicholson
August 18 – Jeffrey Webb, former CONCACAF president and the highest ranking of the FIFA officials arrested in May in Zurich, was in court in Brooklyn, NY, again last Friday where his hearing was adjourned until October 9.
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.