AFF calls in Sportradar to police match-fixing threats at 2016 Suzuki Cup
November 17 – The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has renewed its deal with Sportradar to provide match-fixing detection and prevention services for its AFF Suzuki Cup.
Integrity
A right to play? Offensive German ‘bullying’ comments trigger San Marino fury
By Andrew Warshaw
November 15 – The debate over whether Europe’s minnows should have their own pre-qualifying competition for major tournaments is nothing new but Germany’s Thomas Muller has stoked an unsavoury spat with officials of San Marino following his team’s 8-0 demolition of the 201st-ranked FIFA nation.
James Dostoyevsky: Trump’s good deed
On May 27, 2015, in Brooklyn, New York, Loretta Lynch, Attorney-General of the United States, made a media-savvy appearance. Accompanied by her subordinate (“I am honored to be joined today by Director James Comey of the FBI […])” she highlighted a series of charges that put a number of mainly non-US football officials into serious trouble: “[The individuals indicted today] were expected to uphold the rules that keep soccer honest, and to protect the integrity of the game.
Esquivel pleads guilty and pledges to hand over $16m
November 11 – Former Venezuela FA chief Rafael Esquivel pleaded guilty Thursday as anticipated to multiple charges resulting from the global football corruption scandal.
Webb sentencing delayed again, this time until May 2017
November 11 – Former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb has succeeded in having his sentencing delayed for a third time. Webb, who has pleaded guilty in the FIFA corruption cases brought by the US Department, will now be sentenced by a US federal court judge on May 11 next year.
Venezuelan Esquivel poised to change plea to guilty in Brooklyn court
November 9 – The former president of the Venezuelan FA is expected to change his plea to guilty in Brooklyn on Thursday over his alleged role in the US-led football corruption probe, according to agency reports quoting court records.
Webb lawyers seek 6-month delay in sentencing of former CONCACAF boss
November 9 – The sentencing of disgraced former CONCACAF leader Jeff Webb (pictured) could be delayed yet again if a court in New York grants another request for an adjournment.
AFC swoops on four Laos players at Solidarity Cup for suspected match-fixing
November 8 – With the AFC Solidarity Cup in full swing in Malaysia the AFC Disciplinary Committee has stepped in and suspended four Laos players on suspicion of match-fixing.
Astigarraga takes on top role in new reform-focussed CONMEBOL
By Andrew Warshaw
November 4 – In the latest move in its drive to reform itself and enhance its credibility after becoming shamefully embroiled in world football’s corruption scandal, CONMEBOL have named José Manuel Astigarraga as its new secretary general.
FIFA metes out fines for religious, political and homophobic fan behaviour
November 4 – Iran have been fined by FIFA after fans were asked to sing religious chants and wear black at a World Cup qualifier played on a holy day.
FIFA ethics prosecutors call for life ban for Chirakal over bribery allegations
November 3 – FIFA prosecutors have recommended a life ban be imposed on a former aide to disgraced ex-Asian football chief Mohamed bin Hammam for seven alleged breaches of the ethics code.
Ethics fee revelations masks a deeper FIFA corruption that is focusing investigators
By Andrew Warshaw
November 1 – Gianni Infantino’s insistence that the corruption crisis at FIFA is over looks set to blow up in his face when FIFA’s ethics committee launches a raft a new prosecutions over the next few months that will further call into question the world governing body’s image and reputation.
Above criticism? Barca take Tebas to TAS over player conduct comments
October 28 – Barcelona have reported La Liga president Javier Tebas to Spain’s highest sports court, the Administrative Court of Sport (TAS), after he questioned their players’ conduct in last weekend’s 3-2 win at Valencia when Lionel Messi scored a stoppage-time penalty.
Spanish FA fined for letting Real and Atletico sign underage players
October 25 – Six weeks after European powerhouses Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid lost their respective appeals against a FIFA-imposed transfer ban for breaching regulations on the acquisition of non-Spanish minors under the age of 18, FIFA have fined the Spanish FA (RFEF) CHF 220,000 for allowing the pair of them to sign and register underage foreign players.
AFC puts focus on protecting rights value as raft of new reforms proposed
October 21 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is poised to beef up its governance procedures with a raft of reform proposals to include an AFC whistleblower policy, new anti-bribery and corruption measures and, crucially, a commercial strategy paper for future rights sales.