Pakistan federation faces federal probe into accounts
By Mark Baber
July 15 – Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched an investigation into the accounts of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).
Asia
Chinese club giant Guangzhou Evergrande files for IPO
By Mark Baber
July 3 – Guangzhou Evergrande, China’s most successful club of recent years, has filed with the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ) to list on the so-called ‘New Third Board’ – a trading platform for shares in small- and medium-sized companies – according to a Thursday filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Pakistani president Hayat re-elected despite court ban
By Mark Baber
July 2 – Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat was re-elected President of the Pakistani Football Federation (PFF) for a further four years at a meeting of the PFF congress held in Abbotabad’s Hotel Legrand.
China’s Evergrande lay down marker with £9.8m Paulinho buy from Spurs
By Mark Baber
June 30 – As the centre of gravity of the world’s economy shifts toward the Asia-Pacific region, the signing of Tottenham midfielder Paulinho for £9.8 million, in the wake of the country’s leadership putting its weight behind the development of football, looks like a statement of intent from the Chinese club football.
FFA and A-League bang heads as pay dispute finds no resolution
By Mark Baber
June 26 – Talks between the A-League and Professional Players Australia (PFA) have broken down with the Football Federation Australia (FFA) bosses accusing players of putting the future of the League in jeopardy and the PFA considering legal and industrial action.
Indian FA calls for access to wider talent pool after loss to Guam
By Mark Baber
June 25 – In the wake of tiny island territory Guam (population 165,124) defeating India (population 1.252 billion) in a World Cup qualifier on June 16, attention has turned to the issue of people of Indian origin (PIOs) who may offer salvation for the country’s national team. However, the Indian government opposes their inclusion in the national team, setting up a potentially dangerous confrontation with FIFA.
Racist Chinese poster increases tensions with Hong Kong
By Mark Baber
June 18 – A poorly conceived marketing campaign for China’s World Cup qualifiers, which included a poster saying “don’t underestimate black skin, yellow skin, white skin Hong Kong” has led to accusations of racism, an apparent apology from the Chinese FA (CFA) and a sharpening of tensions between the mainland and Hong Kong fans.
Soosay calls it a day and quits AFC role
By Andrew Warshaw
June 18 – Within weeks of being temporarily suspended as general-secretary of the Asian Football Confederation over claims he was involved in a cover-up during an investigation into corruption allegations dating back to the era of Mohammed bin Hammam, Dato Alex Soosay has quit with immediate effect rather than stay and fight to clear his name.
Pakistan congress suspends its FA president as civil war returns
By Mark Baber
June 17 – The chaos in the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) continues with an Extraordinary Congress on Tuesday reportedly suspending its president and secretary ahead of the elections planned for June 30.
Vietnamese scandal as briber complains about being sacked
By Mark Baber
June 16 – Fresh from securing a third place finish in the South East Asian Games with a 5-0 victory over Indonesia, Vietnamese football has been hit by scandal as two officials are accused by a disgruntled ex-employee of receiving bribes from him and then sacking him.
Aussies fear AFC backlash and a return to Oceania
By Andrew Warshaw
June 2 – Australia’s decision to reject a recommendation from the Asian Football Confederation to support Sepp Blatter in last week’s FIFA presidential election has intensified fears that the country may be sent back to Oceania.
Barca to open academies in Saudi Arabia and UAE with Fitness Time
By Mark Baber
May 26 – A month after first becoming a sponsor of Barcelona, Saudi based Fitness Time has been chosen as the official partner of FC Barcelona in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates under a partnership agreement which will see Barcelona establish seven football academies for the Fitness Time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi tunnel assault earns Estoyanoff AFC ban and fine
May 25 – Former Uruguay international Fabian Estoyanoff, now playing in Saudi Arabia, has been banned for six matches by the Asian Football Confederation for assaulting a South Korean opponent following an AFC Champions League game earlier this month.
Israel-Palestine dispute flares as border incident fuels row
By Andrew Warshaw
May 25 – As the behind-the-scenes diplomacy to halt Palestine’s call for Israel to be suspended from FIFA enters its final phase, the head of the Palestine Football Association has provided FIFA with a timely example of why his controversial proposal remains on the table at the forthcoming FIFA Congress.
AFC draw line through pre-congress gathering
By Andrew Warshaw
May 22 – The Asian Football Confederation, rocked by allegations of a cover-up within its own ranks which is currently being investigated, appears to have cancelled a gathering of its national associations on the eve of next week’s FIFA congress in Zurich.