CAF cock-up as Comoros call for Cameroon to be cut
January 30 – Having been stripped of the right to stage this summer’s African Nations Cup, Cameroon are now facing a move to ban them altogether.
Belgian police seek access to whistleblower Pinto’s docs for match-fixing probe
January 30 – Belgian authorities are seeking access to documents relating to alleged corruption acquired by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto who is under arrest in Hungary.
Tempers fray, shoes fly, as Qatar hand 4-0 drubbing to Asian Cup hosts UAE
UAE 0 Qatar 4
By Paul Nicholson
January 29 – Qatar comprehensively beat Asian Cup hosts UAE 4-0 in what ended up a bad tempered semi-final at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Qatar now go on to meet Japan in Friday’s final.
AFC’s Patel calls for Al Araibi’s urgent return to Australia
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 29 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has added its voice to the calls for the release of semi-professional football Hakeem Al Araibi and his repatriation to Australia where he has refugee status.
Qatar and goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb post new Asian Cup record
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 29 – Qatar’s goalkeeper Saad Al-Dosari posted a new continental record having maintained a successive clean sheet with his country’s national team in 6 successive matches, complete 540 minutes in the Asian Cup 2019.
Banned Bwalya let back into FIFA and CAF families after appeal reduces his sentence
By Andrew Warshaw
January 29 – FIFA has staged a rare u-turn by reducing the two-year ban on Zambia’s former African Footballer of the Year, Kalusha Bwalya (pictured).
New home for new FIFA? Infantino wants move to Paris, say French reports
January 29 – Unconfirmed rumours suggest FIFA is thinking about moving its headquarters from Zurich to Paris in the latest power play by Gianni Infantino.
League football returns to Sierra Leone but Johansen’s team declines to play
January 29 – League football has returned to Sierra leone despite the country still being suspended internationally by FIFA.
FIFA releases first $25m to CBF for 2014 legacy fund
By Samindra Kunti
January 29 – FIFA and the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) have confirmed the release of the money for $100 million 2014 World Cup legacy fund. The world governing body had up to now repeatedly refused to release the money over compliance concerns.
South Sudan to host international in Uganda as Juba stadium is refurbed
January 29 – South Sudan’s Football Association (SSFA) has revealed that the country’s national teams will stage all their international matches this year in Uganda’s capital Kampala.
Man City owners CFG take lead role in $115m Sapphire Ventures investment fund
January 29 – Sapphire Ventures has raised $115 million for a new sport venture capital fund and has Manchester City owners, City Football Group (CFG) as one of its cornerstone backers.
LFP orders Marseilles to play behind closed door after firecracker incident
January 29 – Marseille have been ordered to play home fixtures behind closed doors until officials have finished investigations into a firecracker that was thrown on to the pitch during their last league game against Lille.
Asian Cup semi-final stats: UAE vs Qatar head-to-head
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 28 – The two arch rivals will meet today in what the stats suggest should be a fairly even encounter. UAE have defeated Qatar twice in the AFC Asian Cup and Qatar defeated UAE once in their three continental encounters.
War Games2: UAE vs Qatar preview
January 28 – Qatar’s captain Hassan Al Haydos has said his team have what it takes to reach the final of the 2019 Asian Cup as they face hosts the United Arab Emirates in yet another match that mirrors the geopolitical showdown in this fascinating tournament.
Queiroz calls time on his Iranian adventure
January 28 – Carlos Queiroz has stepped down as coach of Iran after his team crashed out of the Asian Cup 3-0 against Japan. In recent weeks the Portuguese has been linked to the Colombia national team vacancy.