Women’s football strengthened by its social dimension, says Blatter
By David Gold
March 9 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said that women’s football has a stronger social dimension than the men’s game.
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FIFA hit back at Council of Europe report with claims of inaccuracies
By Andrew Warshaw
March 9 – FIFA has wasted no time defending its position by hitting back at a critical Council of Europe report by declaring there were “certain inaccuracies” in a recommendation calling for an internal investigation of Sepp Blatter’s (pictured) re-election as President last year.
Council of Europe watchdog calls for investigation into FIFA President Blatter’s re-election
By Andrew Warshaw
March 8 – A key Council of Europe watchdog has questioned FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s (pictured) election victory last year and says more assurances need to be given that it was clean.
FIFA look set to change international calendar after pressure from Europe’s top clubs
By Andrew Warshaw
March 6 – FIFA looks set to bow to pressure from Europe’s top clubs by reducing the number of international fixtures from 2015 and scrapping meaningless friendlies, especially the one in August that coincides with the start of most leagues.
Over $3 billion spent on 2011 world transfers, reveals FIFA
By David Gold
March 5 – FIFA has revealed that over $3 billion (£1.88 billion€2.25 billion) was spent last year on more than 11,500 transfers in the men’s world football market.
Former Interpol director Ralf Mutschke named as FIFA’s director of security
By Andrew Warshaw
March 5 – FIFA has been quick to fill the gap to be left in May when Chris Eaton, their director of security, leaves after becoming arguably the game’s most high-profile figure in the battle against global match fixing.
FIFA’s hijab ban is prejudice, insists Prince Ali
By Andrew Warshaw in London
March 2 – Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (pictured), the Jordanian FIFA powerbroker driving the global campaign to lift the ban on women footballers wearing the hijab, or Islamic headscarf, during matches says it would be a backward step if the game’s lawmakers ignore his demands.
UN urge FIFA to scrap hijab ban to “challenge gender stereotypes”
By Andrew Warshaw
March 1 – FIFA is being urged by the United Nations (UN) to overturn the ban on women footballers wearing the hijab, the Islamic headscarf, during matches.
Exclusive: ICSS reveal details of Chris Eaton’s recruitment
By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
February 24 – Fresh details have emerged over the imminent departure from FIFA of its head of security Chris Eaton (pictured), arguably the most important figurehead in the fight against match fixing.
Abedi Pele and Gheorghe Hagi join Blatter’s FIFA Task Force
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – Two more footballing icons have joined the star-studded FIFA panel set up to try and make the game more of a spectacle.
Hijab ban is limiting participation, insists FIFA’s Prince Ali
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Muslim women are being discouraged from taking up football because of the worldwide ban of the hijab, the Islamic headscarf, according to FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, the man leading the campaign to change the rules.
FIFA reveal 50 national match fixing investigations
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – The scourge of match fixing across the globe has resulted in up to 50 separate national investigations, FIFA has revealed.
Blatter faces another setback as ISL dossier is delayed by Swiss Supreme Court case
By Andrew Warshaw
February 6 – The long awaited release of documents detailing FIFA’s dealings with its former marketing agency ISL looks set to be further delayed, this time by several months, after appeals to block publication and keep the file secret were sent to Switzerland’s Supreme Court.
Lennart Johansson calls for FIFA President Sepp Blatter to step down
By Andrew Warshaw
February 3 – Former UEFA boss Lennart Johansson (pictured left) has called for FIFA President Sepp Blatter (right) to step down and hand over the reins now rather than at the end of his four-year term in 2015.
FIFA promise “definitive decision” on goal-line technology
By Andrew Warshaw
February 1 – After numerous false dawns, FIFA have finally promised a “definitive decision” on goal-line technology but not until July, almost certainly ruling out it out for the start of next season.