Dyke to quit English FA after failure to win unanimous backing for reforms
January 29 – English football’s outspoken chairman Greg Dyke will not seek re-election when his current term ends in June because of a battle over proposed reforms.
Europe
Mutko straightens RFU finances with new sponsors and help of falling rouble
By Mark Baber
January 28 – Vitaly Mutko, the Russian Sports Minister and Russian Football Union (RFU) President, has said a new $2.5-3.8 million sponsorship contract is about to be signed for the cash-strapped RFU, and that the union is now getting its finances in order.
Italian police swoop on agents, players and 35 clubs, seizing €12m
January 28 – Italian police have seized assets from 58 players, agents and club executives worth more than €12 million as part of huge crackdown into alleged systematic tax evasion in the country’s top two divisions.
Euro politicos get shirty after FIFA candidates refuse to dance to their tune
By Andrew Warshaw
January 28 – European parliamentarians have accused FIFA’s presidential candidates of scoring a spectacular own goal after four of them declined to take part in Wednesday’s planned televised debate in Brussels which ultimately collapsed.
Confusion steals podium as Brussels ‘forum’ debates its purpose
By Andrew Warshaw
January 27 – In what can only be described as a state of utter confusion, a planned debate on the future of FIFA, which had already descended into farce, was watered down still further today just hours before it was due to take place.
Qatar sues Zwanziger over ‘cancerous’ comment
By Andrew Warshaw
January 27 – In an unusual case that once again highlights the sensitivity surrounding Qatar winning the right to stage the 2022 World Cup, officials of the Gulf state are suing former FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger for referring to them as a “cancerous growth on world football” .
Doyen chief claims a difference between ‘ownership’ and ‘investment’
January 27 – Doyen Sports, one of the main companies cited as practising Third Party Ownership (TPO), which is banned by FIFA and UEFA, has attempted to justify its conduct by rejecting that it in any way owns players and insisting it uses an alternative model of TPI (third party investment) that ensures financial transparency.
Brussels talk shop descends into farce as Prince Ali, Sexwale and ESPN pull out
By Andrew Warshaw
January 26 – Amid confusion, contradictions and hints of buck-passing and election games, a planned televised debate involving three of the five FIFA presidential candidates has been scrapped after two of them withdrew with just 48 hours’ notice.
ICSS links with Commonwealth Games Association for integrity audit
January 26 – Amidst burgeoning scandals in both football and athletics, the role of the International Centre for Sport Security in combating the scourge of corruption has been given further recognition by the Commonwealth Games Federation in order to enhance good governance across its various sports.
Ajax keep purse strings tight in transfer window
By Samindra Kunti
January 26 – Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam are restricting their spending during the transfer window to minimise the risks of a financial pitfall, despite the club’s finances being in a good position.
Infantino boosted by Euro bulk backing and says there will be no election deals
By Andrew Warshaw
January 25 – A number of European federations want more time before committing themselves to UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino’s bid to succeed Sepp Blatter at next month’s FIFA presidential election, Insideworldfootball has learned.
Den Haag put up walls as Chinese investor asks where his money went
By Samindra Kunti
January 25 – When wealthy Chinese businessman Wang Hui (pictured) took over Dutch club Ado Den Haag last year there were promises of substantial investment and new sporting glory. But the promises have gone unfulfilled.
Bulgarian FA scrap all Litex Lovech results after player walk-off
January 25 – Bulgarian club Litex Lovech’s entire results for the season have been scrapped as punishment for its players walking off in protest at refereeing decisions in a match at Levski Sofia last month.
German anti-cartel threat could bust open TV rights market and hit Sky
January 25 – In a move that could have a radical impact on viewership, Germany’s Federal Cartel Office wants to introduce a “no single buyer” rule when it awards broadcasting rights for the 2017/18 Bundesliga football season, according to local reports.
UEFA says it will wait for Platini as exco pushes its current chief to FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw
January 22 – European football will have no leader for the foreseeable future after UEFA today ruled out electing a successor to Michel Platini until the case against its banned president is resolved one way or the other.