FIFA vice-president Prince Ali wades in on match fixing debacle
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein is the latest high-profile figure to stress the need to eradicate match fixing.
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Goal-line technology could be used from 2012-2013, says FIFA President
By Andrew Warshaw
December 6 – At least two goal-line technology systems have proved themselves sufficiently accurate and could be in place by the start of next season, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has revealed.
FIFA’s publication of ISL file delayed
By David Owen
December 6 – Sepp Blatter (pictured) has suffered a new setback in his drive to reform world football’s governing body.
Messi tipped for third successive Ballon D’Or
By David Gold
December 5 – Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (pictured right) is in line for his third successive FIFA Ballon D’Or award after being confirmed on the final three-man shortlist alongside Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo (centre) and team mate Xavi (left).
Blatter’s FIFA reforms face early setback
By Andrew Warshaw
December 1 – Twenty-four hours after FIFA unveiled their new reform chief, their plans immediately hit the buffers today when the anti-corruption watchdog that has been advising them for weeks said they wanted no part of the new operation and were cutting all links with world football’s governing body.
Pieth calls for shorter terms and tougher screening of FIFA’s inner sanctum
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – The Swiss academic charged with cleaning up FIFA has recommended limited terms for the organisation’s inner sanctum – including the President (pictured left) – and far more scrutiny when it comes to screening key decision makers.
Exclusive: Win-at-all-costs mentality shouldn’t take priority over health issues, warns FIFA medical chief
By Andrew Warshaw
November 25 – Too many footballers are risking their long-term careers by having painkilling injections before matches, FIFA’s medical chief warned today.
Exclusive: FIFA’s medical chief calls for relax on anti-doping rules in clenbuterol cases
By Andrew Warshaw
November 25 – FIFA’s medical chief, Jirí Dvorák (pictured), has called on anti-doping authorities not to take too hard a line against clenbuterol and to be more understanding about how and why the substance gets into the body.
Anti-corruption guru Mark Pieth to lead FIFA reforms
By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – A Swiss anti-corruption expert has emerged as the key player in FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s quest to rid the organisation of sleaze and scandal.
FIFA vice-president Al Hussein to review hijab rule at Executive Committee meeting
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – FIFA’s youngest Executive Committee member, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, has been mandated by his Confederation to press for women footballers being allowed to wear the hijab, the Islamic headscarf.
“This matter is over,” says Blatter as he draws line under racism row
By Andrew Warshaw
November 23 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today attempted to close the book on the recent racism in football row, insisting he was not a racist and was determined to move forward with his oft-stated policy of zero tolerance.
Exclusive: British FIFA vice-president defends Sepp Blatter’s “unfortunate” comments
By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – Britain’s FIFA vice-president insisted today that Sepp Blatter (pictured right) is not a racist and said he was “pleased” with Blatter’s attempt to rectify the situation following the outrage that accompanied his statement that racist incidents on the field should be settled with a handshake.
Teams battle it out for the chance to face Barcelona in the FIFA World Club Cup final
By David Gold
November 18 – Copa Libertadores winners Santos may have to overcome Mexican outfit Monterrey in December’s FIFA World Club Cup semi-final if they are to set up a potentially mouth watering final with European champions Barcelona, following the draw in Nagoya.
England football officials urge under fire Blatter to resign
By Andrew Warshaw
November 17 – British Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson led a string of scathing responses today to Sepp Blatter’s widely publicised racism comments, while the head of England’s players union called on the FIFA President to resign.
Exclusive: FIFA’s last 100 days were among the most difficult in its over 100-year history, says Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
November 5 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has promised to leave no stone unturned and, for the first time, name names as part of his anti-corruption drive at the heart of world football.