FIFA and WHO combine with social health campaign to kick out coronavirus
March 20 – FIFA has teamed up with the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a new awareness campaign in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
FIFA
FIFA medical chief D’Hooghe warns May restart could ‘punish’ us all
By Andrew Warshaw
March 23 – FIFA’s medical chief has hit out at plans to resume the European leagues in mid-May, warning that’s too early and could present a health risk.
David Owen: Covid-19 has been disastrous for Infantino’s grand designs
March 18 – One early victim of the coronavirus crisis has been FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s authority.
FIFA puts CWC on hold with no new dates set; makes $10m donation to WHO
March 19 – As expected FIFA has confirmed the postponement of Gianni Infantino’s much-trumpeted revamped Club World Cup but hasn’t decided when to play the tournament instead of next year.
Revamped Club World Cup under calendar pressure as Euros and Copa America reschedule
March 18 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed moving the first ever 24-team Club World Club from its 2021 date to avoid clashing with the rescheduled European Championships.
FIFA pushes public health messaging as Infantino says solidarity post-virus needed
March 17 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has urged football authorities worldwide to show responsibility in the wake of Covid-19.
FIFA push Addis Ababa congress back from June to September
March 12 – The effects of Covid-19 have gone all the way up to the administration of world football with FIFA taking the unprecedented step of calling off its 211-nation congress that had been due to take place Addis Ababa on June 5.
Pre-FIFA election Infantino allies asked Swiss AG Lauber if he was investigation target
By Andrew Warshaw
March 9 – Unofficial dealings between under-fire Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber and Gianni Infantino just as the latter was considering seeking the FIFA presidency have fuelled suspicion about collusion between the pair following revelations at the weekend in French newspaper Le Monde.
Massey transfers from Liverpool to FIFA for expanded medical role
March 9 – FIFA has appointed former Liverpool head of medical services Andrew Massey as director of its medical department.
IFAB tiptoes round VAR rules but handball laws and ‘concussion’ subs to get revisions
By Andrew Warshaw
March 2 – Football’s lawmakers have agreed to undertake a major review the offside law in order to “foster the spirit of attacking play” but no changes will happen for a year and little has otherwise been done to appease the growing clamour for tweaks to the VAR system.
FIFA turns to Double pass for player data tracking
March 2 – FIFA have enlisted Belgian company Double pass as a partner to roll out a new ‘Talent Development Progamme’.
FIFA transfer reforms target an end to player ‘hoarding’ and mega-pay days for agents
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – In a transfer reform that will be widely welcomed across many sectors of the game, FIFA is set to limit the number of international loan deals from next season and curb the amount agents can be paid.
Infantino relaunches expansionist vision with more FIFA competition at its heart
By Andrew Warshaw and Samindra Kunti
February 27 – The international match calendar, which has divided stakeholders throughout the game – all with vested interests – is to undergo its biggest ever review by FIFA.
Drawing boundary lines: FIFA meet on issues of domestic leagues playing overseas
February 27 – A top-level FIFA committee is discussing whether to prevent domestic league games being played in another country.
Uruguay’s Valdez handed year ban by FIFA Ethics
February 26 – Despite efforts to shake off its tarnished image, Conmebol has been rocked by yet more scandal after its former FIFA Council member Wilmar Valdez (pictured) was banned for one year for breaking his duty of loyalty.