Barca internal probe clears Bartomeu and Rosell of Neymar transfer fraud
December 15 – Barcelona have disclosed that proceedings brought against the club regarding the signing of Neymar from Santos in 2013 have now been closed.
Integrity
Child trafficking? England dominate market in transfer of minors
By Paul Nicholson
December 12 – Barcelona were sanctioned for the ‘irregular’ movement of players under the age of 18 and questions have been raised over the Real Madrid academy system as regards transfer of minors. But England is by far the most active in the international recruitment of minors.
Argentina’s TyC agrees $112.8m deal to settle US corruption case
December 14 – The US-led probe into widespread football corruption has been marked by another significant development with an Argentine sports media company caught up the scandal agreeing to pay about $112.8 million as part of a deal to resolve charges stemming from the investigation, according to court documents.
Scottish FA sets up ‘review’ panel to examine child sex abuse allegations
December 14 – The Scottish Football Association is to set up an “independent review” of child abuse allegations in football as part of the growing scandal that has rocked the game throughout Britain.
English civil war: former FA gurus say it is just the Premier League’s puppet
December 12 – The English Football Association, already buffeted by the sex abuse scandal that has rocked the sport, has come under further attack after five of its most senior former executives wrote a damning letter to Parliament saying the organisation was unfit for purpose, self-serving and consumed by vested interests.
Match-fixing: FIFA ban former SAFA boss Nematandani and two federation fixers
By Andrew Warshaw
December 9 – Former South African Football Association (SAFA) president Kirsten Nematandani (pictured) has been banned for five years by FIFA’s ethics committee in connection with a match-fixing scandal involving the national team in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup which it hosted.
Has Warner trumped US justices over extradition legalities?
By Paul Nicholson
December 8 – The US Department of Justice’s attempts to get former CONCACAF president and FIFA vice president Jack Warner to the US to stand trial looks set to suffer further delay.
Laudrup denies creaming off cash from transfer deals at Swansea City
December 8 – Former Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup and the club itself have denied he was sacked – mysteriously at the time – because of concerns that he and, primarily, his agent stood to profit from player transfers.
Spanish judge attempts to gag Euro media over CR7 and Mou’s tax dodges
December 7 – A Spanish judge is seeking to impose a gagging order on 12 European media outlets known as the European Investigative Collaborations (EIC) from reporting leaked documents alleging the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho could have been involved in a multimillion-euro tax evasion system.
Burga pleads not guilty to US corruption charges
December 7 – Manuel Burga, former president of the Peruvian Soccer Federation (FPF), has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges in a New York court after being extradited from his homeland.
CAS slams door shut on Blatter after 41-years as a FIFA boss
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – Some will mourn his departure, others will rejoice. Sepp Blatter has finally lost his bid to clear his name over ethics violations after the Court of Arbitration for Sport today upheld the former FIFA president’s six-year ban from the game.
Exclusive: Whelan puts Brazil World Cup nightmare ordeal behind him
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – Ray Whelan (pictured), the British consultant for Match Services, FIFA’s service provider for accommodation, ticketing and IT solutions who was arrested and detained in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup after being wrongly accused of selling VIP tickets at inflated prices, has broken his long silence over his ordeal by accusing Brazilian authorities of attempting to stage a “TV reality show.”
Official: Brazil fabricated charges against Whelan of 2014 World Cup ticket touting
By Andrew Warshaw
December 5 – The “unwarranted criminal compliant” brought by Brazilian authorities during the latter stages of the 2014 World Cup against British ticket and hospitality consultant Ray Whelan has “officially closed in its entirety” according to his employers.
Chelsea sex scandal cover-up details released as more players come forward
December 2 – British football’s child abuse scandal has taken another unsavoury twist with reports that a former Chelsea player was paid £50,000 by the Premier League club not to go public with allegations that he was sexually abused by the club’s former chief scout Eddie Heath.
Swiss open criminal case against former FIFA boss Linsi over Germany 2006 bid cash
By Andrew Warshaw
December 1 – The Swiss criminal investigation into corruption allegations over the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany has been broadened to include former FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi (pictured) who served under Sepp Blatter.