Uzbeks ban fans from chanting and facepainting
By Mark Baber
February 27 – The authorities in Uzbekistan have adopted new rules for fans behaviour in football matches which include an end to shouting and chants.
FIFA suspension forces Tanzanian government intervention
By Mark Baber
February 27 – In the wake of the Tanzanian government’s declaration that the 2012 Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) constitution was adopted in contravention of Tanzanian law, the TFF President, Leodegar Tenga (pictured), has called for an emergency Executive Committee meeting on Saturday in Dar es Salaam to discuss the way forward.
Lazio fans land club back in UEFA disciplinary hell
February 27 – Lazio are awaiting their fate after being charged by UEFA yet again over racist behaviour by their fans – this time following the recent Europa League win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Roma wait nervously for sheikh’s cash for new stadium
February 27 – Serie A club AS Roma have announced a “preliminary agreement” with an Italian-based sheikh for a reported investment of between €50m and €100m– but doubts have been raised about his ability to raise the necessary funds.
Lebanese FA hammers match fixers in East, in the West, 45 Hungarians face trial
By Andrew Warshaw
February 27 – The global match-fixing scourge has now spread to Lebanon with the national federation banning two international players for life and handing down suspensions ranging from one to three seasons to 22 others.
Mutko critical of Russian-Ukrainian league proposal
February 26 – The forces against the formation of a unified CIS league are growing in strength as Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko weighs in again with his belief that a Russian-Ukrainian championship is economically unprofitable and pointless.
Libyan football has a long way to go to find stability
By Mark Baber
February 26 – Two years after the start of the Libyan revolution, football faces a major struggle to return to normality in Libya.
FIFA extends Chinese bans worldwide
February 26 – FIFA has issued another stern signal that match-fixing will be harshly punished by extending worldwide the February 18 bans on 58 players and officials handed out by the Chinese Football Association.
Makudi entry to AFC presidential race raises temperatures
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 26 – The race to replace Mohamed bin Hammam to run the game in Asia and become one of the most powerful figures in world football has taken a remarkable new twist with the announcement that Worawi Makudi of Thailand has thrown his hat into the ring.
Cairos is third bidder to join goal line tech race
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – One of the first companies to offer a system for goal line technology is back in the fray after being granted a license by FIFA – and has joined the race to be selected for next year’s World Cup.
ESPN licks its wounds and exits UK with BT Vision sale
By Paul Nicholson
February 26 – US broadcaster ESPN’s long awaited arrival into the UK television market was launched on the back of Premier League football rights. Its exit from the market, confirmed yesterday, comes following the loss of those same Premier League rights – such is the make-or-break power of the English league in the pay TV market.
[b]Osasu Obayiuwana:[/b] What makes a champion?
“Champions are made from something they have deep inside them, a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. BUT THE WILL MUST BE STRONGER THAN THE SKILL” – Muhammad Ali.
African football, with its wealth and depth of talent, undoubtedly has the skill to conquer the game’s steep summit – the World Cup –
Inside Insight: As straight as an Arabian dagger…the race for the AFC presidency
The Asian Football Confederation, AFC, is trying one more time to get its house in order. After a dismal era under an omni(im)potent Peter Velappan (a GenSec who played president for far too long), a man with an often particular management style took over the helm: Mohamed bin Hammam was in charge, and in ways that widened many a nostril. What he created, at times against crude opposition, is a more functioning and more modern organisation in terms of competitions,
FIFA put Kosovo on the agenda for March meet
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – Kosovo’s campaign to be given improved status in world football has been added to the agenda at next month’s FIFA executive committee meeting, according to leading officials of the breakaway Balkan state.