Blatter denies he received ‘sexual gifts’ on 2013 trip to Haiti
May 23 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has denied allegations that he received ‘sexual gifts’ from former Haiti football president Yves Jean Bart.
FIFA
FIFA name three female refs to Qatar 2022 officials roster
May 20 – In a historic first, Stéphanie Frappart of France, Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga and Yoshimi Yamashita of Japan, three women, have been chosen among the 36 referees to officiate at the World Cup in Qatar, FIFA announced on Thursday.
Ecuador’s 2022 spot on the line as FIFA open case into whether Castillo is in fact Colombian
May 12 – Ecuador’s place in this year’s World Cup finals appears to be in seriously jeopardy after FIFA opened a disciplinary case looking into whether the country fielded an ineligible player during qualifying.
World Cup Trophy begins 51-stop Coke-fuelled journey
May 12 – The World Cup has begun its now traditional journey quadrennial journey towards the World Cup host nation, in this case Qatar and arriving in time for the October-November event. The tour has become the FIFA equivalent of the Olympic flame.
Infantino keeps up defense of Qatar’s human rights record and calls for peace in Ukraine
By Samindra Kunti in Vienna
May 11 – Gianni Infantino has said that the “the undeniable progress” on migrant worker rights host nation Qatar has made will be part of the 2022 World Cup legacy.
FIFA games with EA Sports for final ’23 edition but promises launch of multiple new titles
May 11 – The separation of EA Sports and its FIFA gaming franchise from the world governing body will take another edition before completion. EA Sports will release a FIFA 23 title this year before renaming the world’s biggest football video game EA Sports FC.
FIFA tells Brazil and Argentina to replay abandoned 2022 World Cup qualifier
May 10 – Even though it is a meaningless fixture, the abandoned 2022 World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina will have to be replayed after FIFA rejected appeals from both national federations.
FIFA awards Rohr bumper compensation after Nigerian sacking
May 10 – FIFA has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay former coach Gernot Rohr just under $380,000 in compensation after the governing body dismissed the German late last year.
Women’s U20 World Cup Costa Rica: holders Japan face US and Dutch group draw
May 9 – Reigning world champions Japan will face the Netherlands, Ghana and USA at the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica later this year.
Out of step: Infantino’s whitewashing comments on migrant workers continue to offend
May 5 – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said Gianni Infantino insulted migrant workers in Qatar after the FIFA president said they get “dignity and pride” from their work.
FIFA acts on systemic sexual abuse in Gabon with first four officials banned
May 4 – FIFA have extended an investigation into alleged systematic sexual abuse of under-age players in Gabon by opening formal proceedings against four officials.
Big money Infantino says migrant workers get ‘dignity and pride’ from tough work
May 3 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed that migrant workers in Qatar, the hosts of the 2022 World Cup, gain pride from hard work.
FIFA takes first blockchain steps with Algorand
May 3 – FIFA is entering the world of blockchain technology via a sponsorship and technical partnership with US business Algorand.
Senegal fined after World Cup 2022 qualifying win over Egypt
May 3 – FIFA has ordered Senegal to play one competitive match behind closed doors and has fined Senegal’s FA CHF175,000 for fan disorder at a World Cup playoff game, including shining laser pointers at Liverpool’s Egyptian star striker Mohamed Salah.
FIFA tenders women’s world cup 2023 media rights in Asian markets
April 27 – FIFA has issued an invitation to tender (ITT) for the sale of media rights to the 2023 Women’s World Cup 2023 in selected territories across Asia.