Same rules, same game: FIFA to make referee training gender neutral
December 8 – FIFA’s refereeing chief Massimo Busacca (pictured) wants male and female referees to have the same level of expertise and a deeper knowledge of the game.
CAS poised to make first ruling on Platini suspension with hearings today
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – The highest court in sport will today consider whether to temporarily uphold Michel Platini’s appeal against the 90-day suspension that bars him from seeking the FIFA presidency.
MLS gets good report card leading way in gender diversity but not so strong on race
By Ben Nicholson
December 8 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has had a glowing report card sent home in respect to its progress in gender diversity. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport delivered the league a solid B for gender diversity, which is a two-footed leap from 2014 when the league was brandished with a must-improve C+.
Amsterdam ArenA calls for innovators to help create the stadium of the future
December 8 – The Amsterdam ArenA is calling for ground breaking “creative thinkers and innovative entrepreneurs” to help the company create the stadium of the future as part of the revamp of the country’s main stadium.
CBF takes tentative steps towards Euro-style FFP
By Samindra Kunti
December 8 – Brazil’s CBF wants to introduce a copy of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play into the Brazilian domestic league in a bid to clean up the wobbly finances of Brazilian clubs.
Exclusive: ‘Major deficiencies’ in record-keeping for FIFA development cash
By David Owen
December 8 – Beneficiaries of FIFA’s $350 million Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) are falling down on basic record-keeping requirements, in spite of the crisis that has brought the governing body to its knees, leading acting secretary general Markus Kattner to highlight “major deficiencies”.
Arsenal, AC Milan and Bayern build youth bases in China
By Paul Nicholson
December 7 – Wherever there is money in football these days you will generally find Europe’s clubs prospecting. The current gold rush is in China with AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Arsenal very much in the middle of the race for Chinese football’s hearts and mind.
Just Deny It: Nike knows nothing about bribes, but it did pay Traffic affiliate $40m
By Mark Baber
December 7 – In the wake of last Thursday’s superseding indictment, issued by the US Department of Justice, in the FIFA corruption cases, Sportswear company Nike has once again issued a statement to the effect that it is cooperating fully with authorities and to insist its officials were not aware of any bribery or wrongdoing in connection with the millions the company sent to a Swiss bank account.
Benzema excites French PM’s passions in sex tape trial by media
December 7 – The French government has become embroiled in the Karem Benzema sex tape scandal, with prime minister Manuel Valls saying the Real Madrid striker “has no place” in the national team at next summer’s European Championship finals.
Ecuador’s Chiriboga and Peru’s Burga in custody as US chases extradition
December 7 – The head of Ecuador’s football federation, one of 16 officials newly charged with corruption by US authorities, has turned himself in to authorities in his home country in the knowledge that it does not extradite its nationals.
Ecuador’s Chiriboga and Peru’s Burga in custody as US chases extradition
December 7 – The head of Ecuador’s football federation, one of 16 officials newly charged with corruption by US authorities, has turned himself in to authorities in his home country in the knowledge that it does not extradite its nationals.
Ghosts from the past: ISL scandal returns to haunt Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – The FIFA corruption scandal has taken another mouth-watering twist with the revelation that the FBI is investigating the role Sepp Blatter may have played in a $100 million bribery scam.
Brazil seeks new path to corruption-free glory with Vicente appointment
By Samindra Kunti
December 7 – Marcus Antonio Vicente is the new president of the Brazilian Football Association CBF. He assumed the position on an interim basis after Marco Polo Del Nero was indicted by the FBI last week.
Leaked memo on FIFA gig gives Platini a thin lifeline to stay in the game
By Andrew Warshaw
December 7 – A leaked memo published in a French newspaper on Sunday should clear Michel Platini’s name and allow him to bid for the FIFA presidency in February, according to his legal team.
Beckham finally lands Miami stadium site, Sacramento look likely to miss out
By Ben Nicholson
December 7 – David Beckham is al last enjoying some Floridian sunlight on his campaign to exercise his contractual option to create an MLS expansion team. After three years of toiling, and scorching in political heat, Beckham has secured a site for his team’s home stadium. The MLS approved the location, getting Beckham over a hurdle that last week threatened to indefinitely suspend the idea.