La Liga says Real and Atletico transfer bans are excessive
January 18 – The Spanish league has come out in support of Real and Atletico Madrid describing the FIFA transfer bans meted out to both of them as “disproportionate” and “excessive”.
Does the punishment fit the crime? Mayne-Nicholls to appeal ban
By Andrew Warshaw
January 18 – Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the FIFA-appointed Chilean who headed the inspection team that examined the credentials of all nine candidates for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, is to appeal against his seven-year ban imposed six months ago by FIFA’s ethics committee, saying he cannot understand why he has been treated so harshly.
David Owen: Rwanda spat raises question of how much football politics is really changing
United States attorney general Loretta Lynch may change FIFA, but old school football politics is likely to prove an altogether tougher dragon to slay.
FIFA election: Now BBC wants to host presidential TV debate
By Andrew Warshaw
January 18 – Negotiations are under way for the BBC to stage a live debate with candidates in the build-up to the FIFA presidential election on February 26.
FIFA election: A sign-ing of the times. Prince Ali turns CAF/AFC event sour
By Paul Nicholson
January 18 – FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has accused rival candidate Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of trying to engineer a bloc vote for himself in the upcoming FIFA presidential elections with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Asian (AFC) and African (CAF) confederations.
Sexwale gets cold shoulder from Ghana as he struggles for African votes
By Andrew Warshaw
January 18 – FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale’s hopes of gaining the unanimous support of his own African confederation have suffered a further blow with Ghana saying the South African lacks the requisite leadership skills.
Salman scores points, Ali flies out, Infantino looks on
By Paul Nicholson
January 15 – FIFA’s presidential lobbying has been most active in Africa this week with three contenders – Gianni Infantino, Prince bin al-Hussein and Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa – all present in Kigali, Rwanda, for the West Africa Football Union meetings.
Matt Scott: Infantino has not got UEFA’s house in order. So why let him into FIFA House?
“Birds of a feather flock together.” Aesop
When Sepp Blatter gave an interview to the Tass news agency recently it made headlines everywhere. The Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke, even took what Blatter had said to the British parliament. The widespread outrage arose from Blatter’s claim that he had intended to stitch up the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding in favour of the US and Russian World Cups.
‘They made me feel like a king!’ Ballon d’Or giants honour Ricksen
By Bernd Fisa
January 15 – There was a touching and humbling backstage aside at the Ballon D’Or Awards earlier this week when Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar paid tribute to former Glasgow Rangers captain and Dutch international Fernando Ricksen.
NSCAA showcases U.S. Futsal and unveils first Futsal Coaching Diploma
January 15 – The first official Futsal coaching badge in north America has been announced at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) conference in Baltimore this week. The NSCAA Diploma for futsal will be created with the co-operation of U.S. Futsal.
Oil price plunge: has football been caught over a barrel?
By Mark Baber
January 15 – Oil has dipped below $30 a barrel for third day in a row and, with oversupply likely to be exacerbated as Iran enters the market, low oil prices look here to stay. This will have quite dramatic economic consequences across the globe, from which the business of football is not immune.
Chinese buy into Euro 2016 with global sponsorship deal
By David Owen
January 15 – The wave of Chinese investment in world football has reached Europe’s premier national team competition. Hisense, a white goods and electronics company based in the east-coast city of Qingdao has been unveiled as the 10th global partner of Euro 2016, to be played for the first time as a 24-team tournament in France in June and July.
Madrid in chaos: Real transfer ban could keep Ronaldo and Bale in Spain
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Real Madrid and their cross-town rivals Atletico have reacted with shock and dismay after being slapped with transfer bans by FIFA for breaching regulations on the acquisition of non-Spanish minors under the age of 18.
Rummenigge resurrects spectre of breakaway European Super League
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the body that represents Europe’s biggest clubs, has rekindled speculation about a breakaway European Super League.
Germans volunteer Bundesliga as video ref test bed
January 15 – The German Football Association has expressed its interest in testing video replay technology at the highest level domestically if the game’s rulemakers give the idea the thumbs up in March.