Blatter confident that reforms are on track and will impact FIFA positively
By Andrew Warshaw
April 30 – Despite claims that his beloved reform process has been watered down and will achieve little, Sepp Blatter remains confident that the package of measures will “bring FIFA up to the highest standards of good governance” at next month’s eagerly awaited Congress in Mauritius.
FIFPro lobby EU for passing of a ‘New Bosman’ transfer law
By Monica Villar
April 29 – International players union FIFPro are to file a complaint with the European Court against FIFA to show their discontent about the current system of transfers.
Rich get richer as David Beckham tops the wealth league
April 29 – David Beckham tops the Sunday Times sport rich list in the UK, which is based on identifiable wealth, including land, property, other assets such as art and racehorses, significant shares in publicly quoted companies but excluding bank accounts.
Ronaldo and Bebeto open Maracanã, marking fourth stadium ready, almost
By Mark Baber
April 29 – Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracanã stadium, which will be the venue for next year’s World Cup final, has reopened with an exhibition match between teams led by former Brazil strikers Ronaldo and Bebeto.
Swiss ref falls foul of language barrier and faces federation censure
April 29 – A Swiss referee is in hot water after using an expletive towards a player during a top-flight league match at the weekend.
Birmingham City owner Yeung says a fair trial is impossible
By Andrew Warshaw
April 29 – Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering today as his legal team called for the case to be thrown out.
Row over OCA involvement in AFC elections hots up
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
April 29 – The acrimonious war of words in the build-up to this week’s eagerly awaited Presidential election for the most powerful man in Asian football has intensified with the Kuwaiti Football Association denouncing Yousuf al-Serkal of the United Arab Emirates for comments he made regarding interference by the Olympic Council of Asia, run by Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah.
Relief for Deportivo as judge releases €9m TV rights cash
By Monica Villar
April 29 – After months of waiting and legal wrangling Spanish Primera club Deportivo at last have access to the funds they say they need to maintain operations.
Divided AFC delegates gather in KL for king-maker Congress
By John Duerden in Kuala Lumpur
April 29 – It is somewhat ironic for an election in which transparency and unity are the major issues that so much of the lobbying and campaigning has been played out almost entirely behind closed doors amid ever increasing divisions. But this is football politics, Asian style.
Spanish Government set to drop age law for pro-contracts
By Gareth Messenger
April 26 – Spanish government officials are looking changing the law which states that a footballer has to turn 18 before his club offers him a professional contract.
Fry to take over Premier League chairmanship from Richards
April 26 – Low profile corporate financier Anthony Fry is the surprise choice to take over as chairman of the Premier League.
Sri Lanka looks forward to rebuilding with FIFA support
By Mark Baber
April 26 – Sri Lankan FA president Ranjith Rodrigo (pictured) met with FIFA president Sepp Blatter to discuss Sri Lanka’s reconstruction efforts after years of conflict and the 2004 tsunami.
Al-Thawadi unveils his manifesto for Asia in bid for FIFA exco seat
By Andrew Warshaw
April 26 – Hassan Al-Thawadi, the face of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup campaign who has kept an unusually low media profile as he seeks a place on the top table at FIFA, has finally unveiled his reasons for being elected to its executive committee next week.