FIFA lifts ban on Mali after government reappoints old exco
May 3 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Mali’s suspension by FIFA has been lifted.
FIFA Ethics smells blood in Derrick case as politics and ‘justice’ look set to clash
By Paul Nicholson
May 2 – After an investigation taking more than a year, FIFA’s investigatory chamber has referred Gordon Derrick’s case to the adjudicatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics committee. The case is potentially one of the most controversial and politically laden decisions FIFA’s court will have had to make – though it has yet to rule against a single case from its investigators.
UEFA’s new human rights clause could stymie Turkey’s Euro 2024 bid
By Andrew Warshaw
May 2 – Turkey’s chances of ending years of disappointment by finally landing the European Championship finals in 2024 could be scuppered by a new human rights provision in UEFA’s hosting guidelines.
UN human rights chief praises Muntari but says FIFA needs rethink on racism
May 2 – The United Nations’ top human rights official has hailed Pescara’s Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari as an “inspiration” for walking off the pitch in protest after complaining about racist chanting.
Former Disney boss Eisner ready to sprinkle stardust on Pompey revival
By Paul Nicholson
May 2 – The story of Portsmouth Football Club has been more of a rollercoaster ride than a fairy tale in recent seasons. The club plummeted from the Premier League in 2010, sinking to Division 2 by 2014. During this time they went bust, changed owners and were rescued by fans. Now, despite a loyal and sizeable support, the club is struggling to keep its Fratton Park stadium open.
Beginning of the end? Webb sentencing now delayed until July
By Andrew Warshaw
May 2 – Former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb, one of the first arrests in the burgeoning FifaGate scandal and still the highest profile figure to be indicted, has had his sentencing date put off for the fourth time since he pleaded guilty to racketeering and money laundering.
Spurs push button on White Hart Lane demolition; Chelsea clear to follow on at Wembley
May 2 – Tottenham Hotspur will play just one more game at its current White Hart Lane stadium, against Manchester United on May 14, before bulldozers move in and demolish the structure to make way for the new stadium to take its place.
Infantino’s African politicking puts him and FIFA’s bad old ways back into ethical focus
By Andrew Warshaw
May 1 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino is reported to be under fresh scrutiny over potential ethics breaches – at a particularly sensitive time.
Muntari walks off after ref yellow cards him and refuses to act on racist abuse
May 1 – Pescara’s former Ghanaian international midfielder Sulley Muntari walked off the pitch in protest at the weekend in the latest incident of racism to besmirch Italian football.
Sheikh Ahmed steps down from football roles after US law fingers him in Lai case
By Andrew Warshaw
May 1 – Asian influence at the top table of FIFA has been thrown into uncertainty following the resignation of arguably the biggest figure in Asian sport, Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, from all his footballing roles, most notably membership of FIFA’s ruling Council.
PSG title hopes shattered as Nice and Balotelli rattle their superiority
By Samindra Kunti
May 1 – OGC Nice have all but ended Paris Saint-Germain’s title aspirations in Ligue 1, winning an ill-tempered game 3-1. Thiago Motta and Angel Di Maria were both send off. PSG trail Monaco by three points with three match days left. PSG have been Ligue 1 champions for the past four seasons.
Chelsea influence and Wolfswinkel goals propel Vitesse to first Dutch Cup win
By Samindra Kunti
May 1 – Vitesse Arnhem won their first ever major trophy with a 2-0 win in the Dutch Cup final against AZ Alkmaar. Ricky van Wolfswinkel scored both goals.
Labrokes set to double up on Scottish League sponsorship
May 1 – The timing could perhaps have been better with Joey Barton having just received an 18-month ban for betting on football matches, but the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) is poised to announce an extension of its naming rights sponsorship with bookmaker Ladbrokes.
FOX Sports Latin America buys into new CONCACAF club competition platform
May 1 – The expanded CONCACAF club competitions, including the Champions League, have signed their first major broadcast deal for the new format with FOX Sports Latin America. The five-year deal renews Fox’s existing broadcast deal from 2017/18 to the end of the 2021/2022 season.
Guam’s Lai, part of FIFA’s new look, pleads guilty to bribes in US court
By Andrew Warshaw
April 28 – World football’s corruption scandal has snared yet another high-profile culprit after Guam’s Richard Lai, a standing member of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee, pleaded guilty in the United States in the latest twist to the ongoing probe.