Referees could face anti-doping tests, FIFA medical experts reveal
By Andrew Warshaw in Budapest
May 24 – Referees could in future face the same kind of dope tests as professional footballers, FIFA medical experts disclosed today.
News
Burundi’s Lydia Nsekera named as FIFA’s first female Executive Committee member
By Andrew Warshaw
May 22 – FIFA has appointed its first female Executive Committee member in a bid to restore credibility after the most scandal-tarnished period in its history.
Footballers need at least three days’ rest between matches, says FIFPro
By Andrew Warshaw
May 17 – Top-flight footballers must be allowed to rest for at least three days between matches to have a better chance of winning key fixtures according to the international players’ union, FIFPro.
Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein honoured for hijab ban overturn campaigning
By David Gold at Wembley Stadium in London
May 2 – FIFA’s youngest vice-president, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has been honoured for his efforts to overturn the ban on the hijab in football at the inaugural Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation (MWSF) Ambassador Awards, held here tonight.
FIFA’s former security director starts role at ICSS
By Andrew Warshaw
May 1 – Chris Eaton, FIFA’s former director of security, has taken up his new role with the Doha-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the not-for-profit institution that specialises in helping sports events develop their security and safety strategies.
Hawk-Eye goal-line technology faces official trial at minor league cup final
By Andrew Warshaw
April 30 – After years of false dawns and broken promises, goal-line technology is to be officially trialled in a match scenario as football’s lawmakers press ahead with further testing pending a final decision on July 2.
FIFA unveils hard-hitting new Code of Conduct to abolish corruption
By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – FIFA’s drive to clean up its act is set to take centre stage at next month’s Congress in Budapest after the published agenda revealed that all 208 member nations have been urged to kick out bribery, match fixing and corruption once and for all.
European politicians pour scorn over Sepp Blatter’s handling of ISL scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – Sepp Blatter has been accused of sweeping the notorious ISL bribery scandal under the table in a damning new report that heaps fresh embarrassment on the FIFA President and world football’s governing body.
FIFA President Blatter pays hospital visit to check on predecessor Havelange
By Andrew Warshaw
April 22 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has visited his ailing predecessor, João Havelange, who has been in a Rio de Janeiro hospital for more than a month.
Goal-line technology to enter final testing phase following latest refereeing gaffe
By Andrew Warshaw
April 16 – The final phase of testing for goal-line technology will begin by the end of April, according to FIFA, following yet another blatant and ultimately decisive injustice on the field of play.
Kirin Cup won by Japan’s iron ladies
By David Gold
April 12 – World champions Japan (pictured in blue) have laid down a marker for the London 2012 women’s football tournament with a 4-1 win over Brazil (pictured in yellow) to lift the Kirin Cup in Kobe.
FIFA to step up heart screening following Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest
By Andrew Warshaw
April 3 – FIFA are stepping up their research into heart screening following the cardiac arrest suffered by Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba by setting up a worldwide database to help prevent similar cases.
Blatter steals Pieth’s thunder on eve of FIFA reform proposals
By Andrew Warshaw
March 29 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in classic tactical mode, says he is looking forward to hearing what recommendations will be made to clean up his organisation after the most scandal-tainted couple of years in its history.
Blatter scrapped whistle blowing initiative, FIFA’s head of security reveals
By Andrew Warshaw at Soccerex in Manchester
March 29 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter suddenly halted a much-lauded whistle blowing programme designed to weed out match-fixing and illegal gambling before it even got off the ground, it has emerged.
IFAB composition under scrutiny at FIFA Strategic Committee meeting
By Andrew Warshaw
March 27 – The composition of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game’s lawmaking body comprising FIFA and the four British Home Associations, was the notable topic of discussion when FIFA’s Strategic Committee met at the start of a week-long series of key sessions ahead of Thursday’s (March 29) Executive Committee meeting.