Has FIFA’s gamble on Johansen paid off? Sierra Leone stakeholders show outward unity
March 27 – A fragile peace appears to have broken out within Sierra Leone football following an extraordinary congress in the capital Freetown.
Barca to name training ground stadium after Johan Cruyff
March 27 – Barcelona will name their new stadium in the Ciutat Esportiva training complex after Dutch legend Johan Cruyff. The planned stadium is part of the redevelopment of the club’s famed La Masia.
Mutko out, Sorokin in? Russia looks to maintain position at FIFA’s top table
By Andrew Warshaw
March 24 – Alexey Sorokin, the public face both of Russia’s successful 2018 World Cup bid and the tournament’s organisation, says he is keen to take the place of the barred Vitaly Mutko on FIFA’s ruling Council to ensure his country retains a powerful voice at FIFA’s top table
La Liga keeps focus on Asia with Singapore office and ‘local’ kick offs
March 24 – Spain’s top division will carry on changing kick off times to suit the Asian market in a bid to increase its market share and boost brand awareness, says La Liga president Javier Tebas (pictured).
AFC candidates cleared by FIFA for Council elections as realpolitik begins
March 24 – FIFA’s Governance Committee has finally cleared all the declared Asian Football Confederation (AFC) candidates for the election to the FIFA Council, to take place at the confederation’s congress May 8 in Bahrain, four days before the FIFA Congress takes place in Bahrain on May 11.
Belgian Pro League TV rights edge towards €80m mark
By Samindra Kunti
March 24 – The Italian agency MP & Silva is tendering the TV rights of the Belgian Pro League for the next three seasons. Fast developing broadcaster Eleven Sports is keen on acquiring the rights, a deal which would shake up the market for the league’s rights.
Clarke condemns witless English fans over chants and boos at German (un)friendly
March 24 – The head of the English Football Association has condemned the “inappropriate, disrespectful and disappointing” behaviour of England fans at Wednesday night’s friendly in Germany yet refused to issue a direct apology.
Rajoub doubtful for a FIFA-led resolution, but hopes Israelis will still respect global ‘laws’
March 24 – Palestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub (pictured) says he doubts an agreement can be reached next month over Israel’s conduct in the occupied West Bank, a potential blow for FIFA in its ongoing mediation efforts.
Syrian joy as Uzbek win pushes them back into Russia 2018 qualification mix
March 24 – It was classed as a “home” game but it was played 4,500 miles away in Malaysia before just 350 spectators.
2006 World Cup probe: Beckenbauer meets Swiss prosecutors to tell his story
March 24 – German football legend Franz Beckenbauer has been questioned by Swiss prosecutors over suspected corruption linked to the 2006 World Cup.
OM closes book on their Adidas era, focussing on a new future with Puma
By Paul Nicholson
March 24 – It will be a symbolic statement of intent as much as a business deal of expedience once Olympique Marseille drops its kit sponsorship deal with Adidas, likely in favour of arch-rival Puma.
World Football Forum unveils Changsha, China, event for May
March 24 – The World Football Forum 2017 held their official launch in Changsha, China yesterday. Their timing could not have been better as later in the day at the Changsha stadium, the Chinese national team stunned Asia with a 1-0 win over South Korea in World Cup qualifying – the first time the Chinese have beaten the South Koreans in more than 40 years.
A political football. New CAF chief Ahmad quits Madagascan Senate
By Andrew Warshaw
March 23 – The new leader of African football held a senior political role at the time he was elected last week, throwing into question whether FIFA should have allowed him to stand against Issa Hayatou.
Sexwale’s Israel/Palestine mediation gets ‘stormy’ as both sides dig in
March 23 – Palestinian and Israeli football officials were involved in “heated” talks on Wednesday as Tokyo Sexwale (pictured centre), FIFA’s main Middle East negotiator, finally presented his long awaited draft report on the dispute over Israeli clubs based in the occupied territories and other festering issues in the region.
More Traffic congestion. Telemundo win Trinidad court backing to broadcast qualifiers
By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – The spat over whether US Spanish-speaking network Telemundo would be allowed to broadcast Trinidad and Tobago’s upcoming Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying matches against Panama and Mexico has been resolved at the last minute. A Trinidad judge ruled that broadcaster owns the TV rights and that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has to allow Telemundo access to the stadium that had previously been denied.