FIFA steps up its fight against match fixers with global bans
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – FIFA have banned 74 more officials and players worldwide for match fixing – this time from Italy and South Korea.
UEFA crackdown puts Lazio behind closed doors, Fenerbahce too, but The Drog plays on
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – UEFA have run out of patience with Lazio and ordered the Italian club to play their next two home European games behind closed doors after their fans were found guilty of racist behaviour for the fourth time this season.
Russians earmark further $2.2 billion on the road to FIFA World Cup 2018
February 27 – A further 67.4 billion rubles ($2.2 billion) has been earmarked by the Russians in the new sports budget to spend on the infrastructure and preparations for hosting the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and the FIFA World Cup 2018.
Zwanziger sees ‘age’ as the key issue in FIFA’s reform process
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 27 – Theo Zwanziger, the influential German administrator overseeing FIFA’s reform process, has hinted there is still considerable work to be done to bring about a consensus over the way forward.
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.