Goa takes further steps to position as gateway to Indian football
By Mark Baber
March 14 – The Indian State of Goa is holding a football conference on March 15-16 to further develop the coastal state as the ‘gateway to football’ in India.
FIFPro calls for urgent FIFA intervention in Indonesia
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – The international players union FIFPro has issued a damning indictment of the dysfunctional nature of Indonesian football, saying nothing had changed since the tragic death in December of Paraguayan player Diego Mendieta.
Reform criticism damages, but Blatter adamant it won’t halt the process
Exclusive: By Osasu Obayiuwana
March 14 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted that public criticism of its ongoing governance reform progress, especially by key officials at the heart of it, could put the credibility of the entire process at great risk.
Qatari Dream League hoax story circulates globe
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
March 13 – A three-page newspaper scoop claiming that Qatar is planning to launch a groundbreaking ‘Dream Football League’ next month, featuring the world’s most iconic clubs in a 24-team tournament that could ultimately rival the Champions League, has been dismissed as an elaborate hoax.
Blatter surprised at Zilong withdrawal from AFC presidency race
Exclusive: by Osasu Obayiuwana
March 13 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has told InsideWorldFootball, in an exclusive interview, that he was “surprised” by the decision of China’s Zhang Zilong, to withdraw from the race for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Forbes lists football’s richest billionaire owners
March 13 – Football at the top level is a rich man’s ownership game and attracts the richest men in the world. Business magazine Forbes has issued a list of the 11 richest football billionaires from the Forbes Rich List.
Fresh FIFA warning to Tanzania over government interference
March 13 – Tanzania has again been warned by FIFA that it will be suspended if the government interferes in the administration of the sport.
Hungary lose appeal to CAS over spectator ban for World Cup qualifier
By Mark Baber
March 13 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal against the spectator ban imposed on Hungary for its March 22 World Cup qualifier against Romania.
Osasu Obayiuwana: CAF’s conspiracy of silence is holding Africa back
But for the incontrovertible geographical fact that Marrakech is in Morocco, I would have argued, to the death, that the just concluded Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which I attended, took place in Kim Jong Il’s Pyongyang, North Korea.
Speech after speech at the Palais De Congres eulogised its president, Cameroonian Issa Hayatou, who enjoyed the anniversary of his 25th year in power on Sunday, by securing a record seventh four-year term in office.
Beach soccer heads to Caribbean for Bahamas World Cup qualifier
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – Caribbean football, striving to enhance its image since the 2011 cash-for-votes scandal, at last has some good news, no doubt in part due to the efforts of Jeffrey Webb, president of CONCACAF which covers the region.
Rosell under pressure over Brazil friendly promotion
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – Just as his club were staging one of their greatest comebacks to take their customary place in the Champions League quarterfinals, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell (pictured) found himself at the centre of possible fraud charges in Brazil.
Spanish ‘soccer bubble’ faces EC scrutiny over loans
By Mark Baber
March 12 – The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into the financial affairs of Valencia, Hércules and Elche after their recent bail-outs from local government.
Rio’s Maracana will be ready for test, say organisers
By Andrew Warshaw
March 12 – Local officials insist that Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium, still worrying FIFA more than any other venue in the run-up to the Confederations Cup in June, will be ready to stage a test event next month.
Celebrity powers to the top of player Rich List
March 12 – The power of Brand Beckham was never more evident than in a Rich List just published by Goal.com, the football web site owned by Perform.
Garcia speaks on his role at FIFA, and says the time to step forward is now
By Paul Nicholson
March 12 – Michael Garcia, the American lawyer charged with investigating corruption in football, has given a very clear message to administrators and officials throughout the game: if you have information and “you want to talk, come and talk to me now. I am under orders from no-one.