Race to replace Blatter sees pre-start jostling for position
By Andrew Warshaw
June 4 – The race to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA president is picking up pace after South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon announced he is considering making a comeback.
FIFA
South Africa confronts FBI saying the $10m was ‘no bribe’ for 2010 vote
By Andrew Warshaw
June 3 – South Africa’s government has issued a powerful denial of paying bribes to secure the 2010 World Cup, denouncing accusations that the infamous $10 million payment cited in the US indictment into widespread football corruption was linked in any way to buying votes.
Mixed reactions to Blatter resignation, as global battle lines start to be drawn
By Andrew Warshaw
June 3 – Sepp Blatter’s shock resignation as FIFA president has prompted mixed global reaction, with England leading western relief over his departure after 17 years but African federations ruing the loss of the man who helped the continent grow and many of its nations to stay afloat.
End of an era: Sepp Blatter resigns FIFA presidency
By Paul Nicholson and Andrew Warshaw
June 2 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has sensationally announced he is to resign. Just four days after triumphantly being elected president for a fifth term at the FIFA Congress last week.
Rabbatts quits anti-discrimination Task Force
By Andrew Warshaw
June 2 – Heather Rabbatts, a member of FIFA’s anti-discrimination Task Force that was hailed when it was established as a key bridging block in FIFA’s reform programme, has stepped down following the arrest of the body’s chairman, Jeffrey Webb, as part of the US-orchestrated investigation into FIFA corruption.
FIFA say Grondona authorised $10m, but US gunning for Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw
June 2 – The corruption scandal that enveloped last week’s FIFA presidential election and has plunged world football’s governing body into its worst ever crisis deepened overnight with reported allegations in the United States that FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke (pictured) was the man behind a $10 million bank transfer that is central to the investigation being carried out by US authorities.
Sanz banned as CONCACAF opens own probe
By Paul Nicholson
June 2 – Back stage the confederation was in turmoil with employees only just having been allowed back into their Miami offices, news of bans of their top officials, and rumours that in the Cayman Islands employees had been relieved of their phones and laptops; front stage CONCACAF conducted the draw for the group stages of the 2015/16 Champions League. If it wasn’t quite business as usual, it was a welcome relief from the dark politics of corruption that have returned to consume the regional body.
FIFA supends Indonesia for government ‘take over’
June 1 – The Indonesian government has reacted disdainfully to FIFA’s decision to throw the country out of world football saying the move should not be “mourned excessively”.
Heat still on as Swiss lawmen interview FIFA’s exco, Blatter and Platini on backburner
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – Swiss officials have not ruled out questioning FIFA president Sepp Blatter as part of their inquiry into possible breaking of Swiss laws leading up to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup ballot five years ago.
Jordaan pours scorn on allegations the $10m to CONCACAF was a bribe
By David Owen in Zurich
June 1 – Danny Jordaan, the President of the South African Football Association (SAFA) and former chief executive of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has confirmed that a $10 million payment referred to in this week’s United States Department of Justice (DoJ) indictment was indeed made, according to a South African media report.
England green around the gills, US lose out, World Cup spots unchanged
By Paul Nicholson
June 1 – “If you are elected and don’t come to the first meeting that’s not taking responsibility.” And with these words Sepp Blatter abruptly ended the press conference following FIFA’s first executive committee after his dramatic election to a fifth term as FIFA president. Blatter exited the auditorium chased Keystone Kops-style by the media with the English press and their cameramen in the vanguard.
France desert Platini for Blatter who points finger at the US-driven conspiracy
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – A new twist emerged today over Sepp Blatter’s FIFA presidential victory when Michel Platini’s native France admitted it went against his wish for Europe to get behind vanquished challenger Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.
Blatter wins fifth term as FIFA’s boss after Prince Ali pulls out
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – Sepp Blatter clinched victory over Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan today, moving into a fifth four-year term of office at the age of 79 but not quite with the two-thirds majority many had predicted. In dramatic scenes Prince Ali announced his withdrawal from the contest. He received a standing ovation as he left the platform while Blatter was cheered as he once again took centre stage
Blatter calls for calmer waters, unity and trust, Scala for culture change
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson in Zurich
May 29 – Sepp Blatter used the most important presidential address of his 17-year reign today by suggesting the brutal scrutiny he and his organisation have come under would not have occurred had Russia and Qatar had not been chosen to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Blatter calls for unity, as rumour mill grinds ahead of the vote
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – Sepp Blatter looked poised to win a fifth term as FIFA president today – but perhaps not with the landslide victory many have predicted.