Gorka Villar quits CONMEBOL role
July 20 – Is the timing deliberate? Just as Angel Maria Villar llona announced his bid for the UEFA presidency, so his son Gorka Villar has left CONMEBOL, where he was director general, by “common accord”.
AFC picks UAE and Abu Dhabi to host its star-studded awards night
July 20 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will hold its 2016 AFC Annual Awards Night ceremony at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi on December 1.
Mutko under pressure as doping ‘SAVE’ orders look like a big ball dropped
By Andrew Warshaw
July 19 – Russia’s staging of the 2018 World Cup looks certain to come under increasing scrutiny despite a typically hands-off FIFA response to how the damning doping scandal that has rocked the sporting world might affect its flagship event.
Deadline nears for UEFA presidential nominees. All eyes on Villar
By Andrew Warshaw
July 19 – Will he or won’t he? With 24 hours to go until the deadline for nominations for UEFA presidential candidates, there has still been no official confirmation that the man who has been running the show on an interim basis will be putting his name forward to replace Michel Platini in September.
More pain in Spain for Villar-Llona as his regime comes under renewed fire
By Paul Nicholson
July 19 – Spanish federation president (RFEF) Angel Maria Villar-Llona has come under renewed attack at home from presidential rival Jorge Pérez who says that he has woven a system of patronage and fear into Spanish football that has kept him in position.
CFU elections: John-Williams pledges to tear house down and rebuild it brick by brick
By Paul Nicholson
July 19 – Trinidad and Tobago FA president David John-Williams, a challenger for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) presidency in elections to be held in Miami July 23, has released his manifesto to Insideworldfootball.
CFU election: Frederick manifesto calls for Caribbean unity and funding
By Paul Nicholson
July 19 – Hillaren Frederick, candidate in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) presidential elections has released his manifest under the banner ‘Building bridges through effective Communication and Good Governance ….31….We are Strong’.
MLS pick All-Stars for Arsenal game but leave out English big guns
July 19 – They may be among the most revered England internationals of recent years but Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have not been able to make the MLS All Stars squad to face Arsenal on July 28.
Argentina crisis: FIFA appoint execs to run the federation
July 19 – FIFA have named Armando Pérez, owner of the Belgrano club, as head of the normalising committee to temporarily manage the affairs of Argentine football.
Derrick manifesto focuses on grassroots and competitions as CFU election nears
By Paul Nicholson
July 18 – With Caribbean Football Union (CFU) elections taking place July 23, CFU president Gordon Derrick, standing for a second four-year term, has issued an election manifesto with an emphasis on grassroots development and increased competition across the region.
FIFA on the edge? Decision expected on Infantino probe this week
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – Under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino should learn this week whether he is to be formally investigated for breaking ethics rules.
Thais warm to AFC Futsal Club championships in record numbers
July 18 – The AFC Futsal Club Championships have broken record attendance numbers in the first three days of competition in the Bangkok Arena, Thailand.
UEFA unveils top player nominees. Bale or Ronaldo? OL dominate women’s list
July 18 – UEFA has announced the ten-player shortlists for the 2015/16 UEFA Best Women’s and Men’s Player in Europe Awards.
Chelsea manager Conte gives his support to the Borgonovo foundation
By Bernd Fisa
July 18 – New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has lent his support to the Stefano Borgonovo Foundation set up after the former Italian international striker died in June 2013 several years after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal disease which attacks the nervous system.
FIFA Ethics poised to rule on Niersbach 2006 World Cup case
By Andrew Warshaw
July 18 – While the focus is all on whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino is to be formally investigated, another ethics ruling is also apparently imminent– on former German FA chief and one-time prospective UEFA presidential candidate Wolfgang Niersbach (pictured left with Franz Beckenbauer).