FIFA confirms World Cup draw dates and times
March 20 – FIFA has confirmed the date for the draw for the 2014 World Cup finals as December 6 this year.
FIFA
Blatter reassures on Brazil readiness as ExCo gathers for crucial meetings
By Andrew Warshaw
March 20 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has again issued a firm assurance that Brazil will be ready to host the 2014 World Cup. On the eve of one of FIFA’s most far-reaching executive committee meetings, Blatter met Brazil’s sports minister and FIFA’s World Cup organizing committee on Tuesday.
FIFA social campaign films nominated for IVCA awards
March 20 – Two FIFA films have been shortlisted for the International Visual Communications Associations Awards (IVCA). The 2013 IVCA awards ceremony take place on March 22 in London.
Anti-inflammatories are a bigger problem than doping in football
By Mark Baber
March 19 – Michel D’Hooghe, chairman of FIFA’s medical committee and President of the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre, has said that the abuse of anti-inflammatory medicine by football players is a bigger problem facing the sport than doping.
Blatter says elections need competition, but stability is important too
Exclusive: by Osasu Obayiuwana
March 19 – In what can be regarded as a tacit admission that elections into leading football positions lack robust contests, which do little for public confidence, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has confessed that the prevailing situation is far from ideal.
Boateng heads to Zurich for meeting with Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
March 19 – Almost three months after making worldwide headlines by walking off the pitch in protest at racism, AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng will meet with FIFA president Sepp Blatter this week to discuss the best ways to fight discrimination and abuse.
FIFA concern at Guatemala overturning match-fixing bans
By Mark Baber
March 15 – FIFA has written to the Guatemala FA expressing concern over the decision by Guatemala’s national sport tribunal to overturn the lifetime ban imposed for match-fixing on three national team players.
Change of FIFA exco election rules may take longer than 2015
Exclusive: By Osasu Obayiuwana
March 15 – A recommendation that the new FIFA president and his executive committee members are both elected by its congress, an important part of the proposed reforms for world football’s governing body, may not be achieved by 2015, when the next presidential election is due, says Sepp Blatter.
Sharing of major championships lacks ‘heart and soul’, says Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
March 15 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has once again criticised the decision by his UEFA opposite number Michel Platini to spread the 2020 European Championship finals across the entire continent.
Reform criticism damages, but Blatter adamant it won’t halt the process
Exclusive: By Osasu Obayiuwana
March 14 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted that public criticism of its ongoing governance reform progress, especially by key officials at the heart of it, could put the credibility of the entire process at great risk.
Hungary lose appeal to CAS over spectator ban for World Cup qualifier
By Mark Baber
March 13 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal against the spectator ban imposed on Hungary for its March 22 World Cup qualifier against Romania.
Garcia speaks on his role at FIFA, and says the time to step forward is now
By Paul Nicholson
March 12 – Michael Garcia, the American lawyer charged with investigating corruption in football, has given a very clear message to administrators and officials throughout the game: if you have information and “you want to talk, come and talk to me now. I am under orders from no-one.
Sri Lanka’s Fernando suspended by FIFA’s investigators
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
March 11 – Another leading FIFA administrator was dramatically suspended today when Sri Lanka’s Vernon Manilal Fernando (pictured) was provisionally banned from any football activity for 90 days as part of an ongoing investigation by corruption busters.
FIFA demands clarification over Nigerian ban on lesbian players
By Mark Baber
March 8 – In the wake of the Chair of the Nigerian Women’s Professional League reportedly banning lesbians from playing football, FIFA has now written to the Nigerian Football Fedearation requesting clarification.
News Analysis: GLT at last gets over the IFAB line
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
March 8 – When football’s lawmakers rubber-stamped the long-overdue introduction of goalline technology last week, it hardly made global sporting headlines.