Exclusive: FIFA caps club player injury payouts through to 2018
By David Owen
October 3 – Compensation terms payable under FIFA’s Club Protection Programme (CPP) are to remain unchanged over the next four years.
FIFA
Women turn threat into action as 2015 World Cup turf war lawsuit is filed
By Andrew Warshaw
October 2 – The ongoing spat over the use of artificial turf at next year’s women’s world cup in Canada has reached crisis point with a group of leading players deciding to sue FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association claiming gender discrimination.
AFC chief Salman declares strong support for Blatter presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
October 1 – In a strong message of support that will come as no surprise to seasoned observers of allegiances within FIFA’s hierarchy, the head of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is backing Sepp Blatter’s bid for a fifth term of office.
Match gets Valcke backing to continue, if there is ‘no judgment’
By Andrew Warshaw
September 30 – Two months after becoming embroiled in a much-publicised ticketing controversy at the World Cup, FIFA’s long-established marketing affiliate Match has been given a vote of confidence to maintain its relationship with world football’s governing body.
Watch row keeps ticking as Blatter calls time
By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter is distancing himself from the growing row over 65 designer watches donated to many of the world’s leading football administrators as gifts at the World Cup.
FIFA plots pathway to end of TPO
By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – After being besieged by constant condemnation of third-party ownership, FIFA has finally agreed to ban the practise – but only after a transitional period has been phased in.
Club Protection Programme renewed until 2018
By David Owen
September 28 – FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee has approved the renewal of the Club Protection Programme (CPP) – the scheme designed to remove a longstanding bone of contention by compensating clubs when players they employ are injured on international duty – for a further four years.
Confidential means confidential, says FIFA. Blatter formally declares
By Andrew Warshaw
September 26 – The hotly debated report into possible corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process will not be made public by FIFA president Sepp Blatter or his executive committee.
FIFA turns 15 match-fixing bans into global sanctions
September 26 – Thirteen Estonia-based players and two from Slovakia, already suspended by their own respective federations for match-manipulation, have had their bans extended worldwide by FIFA.
Champagne maintains push for FIFA’s presidency as Blatter officially declares
By Andrew Warshaw
Spetember 25 – Just as FIFA president Sepp Blatter is due to inform his executive committee that he wants to stay in charge of the organisation for another four years, his only current challenger for the presidency says he has no intention withdrawing his candidacy and insists he is in it for the long haul.
FIFA rejects Santos appeal leaving him fuming in the stands
September 25 – Portugal’s new coach Fernando Santos has lost his appeal against an eight-match FIFA ban for misconduct at the World Cup when he was in charge of Greece.
Garcia takes on Eckert saying bid report should be published
By Andrew Warshaw
September 25 – A clear and potentially damaging split within FIFA’s own ethics committee over the inquiry into possible corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process has been exposed just as the leaders of football’s world governing body meet for one of its most eagerly awaited sessions.
Prince Ali adds voice to those calling for bid report to be published
By Andrew Warshaw
September 24 – On the eve of its latest executive committee meeting, further pressure is growing on FIFA to authorise publication of the comprehensive report into possible World Cup bid corruption in order to maintain credibility and transparency.
Eckert warns World Cup bid report could be kept secret
By Andrew Warshaw
September 22 – Revelations that FIFA’s much-discussed report into possible corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process might never be made public threatens to plunge the organisation into yet more discomfort and debate over morality.
Watch debacle keeps ticking as Platini says it is rude to return gifts
By Andrew Warshaw
September 22 – UEFA president Michel Platini has denounced FIFA’s ethics committee over the way it has handled the growing controversy regarding 65 designer watches donated to many of the world’s leading football administrators at the World Cup.