By Paul Nicholson
November 13 – Perhaps the real winner of the report on the inquiry into the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process is FIFA itself and its president Sepp Blatter, who will be standing for a fifth term as president next year.
By Paul Nicholson
November 13 – While the inquiry into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process clears all the bidders of any wrongdoing that affected the outcome of the December 2012 vote, it is likely that there will be individual casualties as a result of the investigation.
By Paul Nicholson
November 13 – The 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be played in Russia and Qatar, as originally voted for by FIFA’s executive committee on December 2, 2010. The inquiry into the FIFA World Cup Bidding process has found no smoking guns, no bags of cash under tables or even in safety deposit boxes, and no evidence of root and branch corruption that would warrant removal of the biggest event in world sport from the current mandated host countries.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 12 – As FIFA prepares to reveal partial conclusions of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid investigation, a Spanish newspaper claims Qatar will not be unduly compromised and that the finger is more likely to be pointed in the direction of Russia and England.
November 10 – Footballing experts from across the world who will advise FIFA over future implementation of any changes to the laws of the game will be officially announced at this month’s annual business meeting (ABM) of the International Football Association Board in Belfast.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 10 – Sri Lanka’s former FIFA executive committee member Vernon Manilal Fernando, once regarded in some quarters as the footballing Godfather of South Asia, will have his Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal against being banned by FIFA for alleged corruption heard next week.
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
November 7 – Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the former Chilean FA president who announced last month that he was considering taking on Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, says he will make a final decision in the New Year even though Blatter is odds-on favourite to clinch a fifth term next May.
By Ben Nicholson
November 6 – Following the tragic death of Peter Biaksangzuala, who suffered spinal injuries that proved to be fatal after celebrating a goal by attempting a back somersault, FIFA has moved to rid the game of somersaulting celebrations altogether.
By Mark Baber
November 5 – FIFA have extended a ban on recently elected Italian football federation (FIGC) president Carlo Tavecchio worldwide for six months a racist comment he made in August.
November 5 – The issue of black players boycotting the 2018 World Cup in Russia because of racism has been raised once again, this time by renowned anti-apartheid campaigner Tokyo Sexwale who is a key FIFA adviser.
By Mark Baber
November 3 – FIFA has confirmed that it will be losing Dubai-based airline Emirates as one of its sponsors when its contract runs out at the end of the year, whilst talks with Sony, another top level sponsor, are reportedly ongoing.
By Paul Nicholson
November 2 – Anyone who thought the seismic impact of disgraced American football official Chuck Blazer was over can think again. Blazer has been named as the main informant in an FBI investigation reportedly into money laundering and fraud in football.
By David Owen
October 31 – The venue for the final of next year’s women’s World Cup in Canada will need to seek recertification in January, to verify that its artificial pitch surface remains of the necessary quality.
By Mark Baber
October 31 – South Korean and French delegations have handed over rival bids for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Thursday to FIFA President Blatter and FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – FIFA have broken their silence over the artificial turf controversy that threatens to disrupt next year’s Womens World Cup in Canada, insisting the pitches will be of the highest standard and rejecting any sense of discrimination against female players.