Africans rejig FIFA exco reps as Raouraoua pulls out of election
February 18 – Algeria’s Mohamed Raouraoua (right) has pulled out of standing for re-election as one of Africa’s FIFA executive committee members after serving a single term.
South Korea’s Chung bids to add to family dynasty on FIFA exco
By Andrew Warshaw
February 18 – Four years after South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon, one of the most influential figures in world football administration, suffered a humiliating defeat after almost a generation as Asia’s FIFA vice-president, his family is gunning to get back to the top table.
Money men poised to feast on Euro clubs’ new economy
By Paul Nicholson
February 18 – Financial fair play, low interest rates and football’s ability to secure big money broadcast and sponsor contracts looks likely to attract debt investors back into the football business.
Chelsea’s racist fans shame club and English on Paris Metro
February 18 – Chelsea fans have brought shame on their high-flying English Premier League club after video footage appeared to show a group of them chanting racist slogans as they prevented a black man from boarding a train ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Paris St Germain.
Trend Micro joins Women’s World cup sponsor roster
By David Owen
February 17 – Trend Micro, a security software company, has become a sponsor of the Women’s World Cup, joining Bell Canada and Labatt Breweries as the tournament’s third National Supporter.
Czech FA gives power of free agency to players if clubs fail to pay wages
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
February 17 – The Czech Football Association (FACR) has unveiled plans to implement a number of measures to enhance the legal protection of footballers whose clubs encounter financial difficulties and leave players unpaid but tied to their clubs.
2022 Winter of discontent: Europe’s clubs gather to turn the heat up in Qatar
By Andrew Warshaw
February 17 – Next week’s pivotal meeting over when to stage the 2022 World Cup has been put back 24 hours – but the outcome looks set to be the same. FIFA have confirmed that its 2022 multi-stakeholder Task Force will now convene on Tuesday instead of Monday – in the Qatari capital of Doha – to recommend precise dates.
Arsenal deal helps Puma reverse sales slide as reports €3.2bn in sales
By Mark Baber
February 17 – Puma issued an upbeat fourth quarter 2014 report Monday, revealing a 3.3% increase in currency adjusted worldwide sales of €3.2 billion (£2.6 billion) and documenting the company’s success in halting a slide in sales and repositioning its branding. Full year earnings were below expectations though and shares have slipped 17% over the year.
Barca beat their transfer ban by buying up new players now for Jan 2016
February 17 – Barcelona, slapped with a transfer ban by FIFA for bringing in under-age players, appear to have found a way to get round the sanction by targeting players but not registering them before January 2016.
Lee Wellings: Internal affair for FIFA presidential candidates
The FIFA Presidential election has absolutely nothing to do with public support, or indeed media backing. Around two fifths of nine tenths of NOTHING. I reiterate that after an in-depth Talk To Al Jazeera interview to be aired over next few weeks with Prince Ali, the candidate considered the main challenger to Sepp Blatter.
Carnage at Mons as club’s cash dries up after relegation
By Samindra Kunti
February 17 – Belgian second division club RAEC Mons has filed for bankruptcy at the local commercial court after prolonged financial difficulty.
Brain-damaged Spurs player wins court battle after heart attack on pitch
February 17 – A former apprentice with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur has won a huge damages claim after a cardiac arrest nine years ago left him with brain damage.
Youth uprising: U15 Boys teams head for Cayman in record numbers
February 17 – When CONCACAF launched its U15 Boys championship in 2013 with 22 teams, it became the first confederation to hold an U15 championship. In 2014 it broke new confederation ground, hosting an U15 Girls tournament.
Russia builds for Russians: Mutko wants doors closed on foreign imports
February 17 – Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaliy Mutko has again been critical of the Russian Football Union (RFU) for its proposal of limiting foreign players in club squads to ’10+15′, saying “what kind of celebration will we have (at the World Cup in 2018) if our own team is completely useless”.
CSKA’s Tomov faces 10 years in jail for stealing €3.5m of club cash
By Alexander Krassimirov
February 17 – Alexander Tomov (pictured), the largest shareholder in Bulgaria’s CSKA Sofia, one of the country’s top four clubs, faces 10 years in prison if convicted of fraud charges brought against him by Bulgarian prosecutors.