Blatter: “Football is not in crisis”
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – It was a combative, almost fist-pumping performance from Sepp Blatter.
“Bundles of cash” given to Caribbean associations by Bin Hammam it is claimed
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – The clearest proof yet that bribes were definitely offered to Caribbean members of FIFA emerged today when a picture of bundles of cash allegedly delivered in a brown envelope was released to newspapers around the world.
Bin Hammam refusing to accept defeat in battle over ban
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – Mohamed Bin Hammam refused to accept defeat today in his fight against suspension over FIFA’s bribery scandal by announcing he is appealing against the decision by the Ethics Committee.
Asian voters may boycott FIFA election in rage over Bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – Growing speculation is emerging that the entire Asian delegation could pull out of the FIFA Congress on Wednesday (June 1) in protest at their President, Mohamed Bin Hammam, being suspended after being charged with offering or paying bribes to Caribbean members to vote for him.
West Brom ditch Umbro for Adidas kit deal
By David Gold
May 30 – West Bromwich Albion have penned their biggest ever kit deal by opting to sign a new agreement with Adidas rather than Umbro.
FIFA general secretary under threat after explosive Qatar 2022 bribe allegations
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke’s position was unexpectedly plunged into severe danger·today·when he admitted that a damaging email he sent suggesting the 2022 World Cup was bought was genuine.
“Valcke to blame for my suspension” claims Bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 30 – A crestfallen Mohamed Bin Hammam has blamed FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke for helping to bring about his suspension as the unprecedented bribery scandal within football’s world governing body continued to reverberate around the globe.
Warner claims Blatter gave CONCACAF $1 million “gift”
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – A furious Jack Warner tonight blasted back at being suspended by FIFA with a litany of mind-blowing corruption allegations against other senior officials, notably President Sepp Blatter and his number two Jerome Valcke that will ensure the row ripping the world governing body apart will continue for a long time yet.
David Owen: Blatter now has the opportunity to reform FIFA and restore its image
.jpg)
One is rarely quite 100 percent sure with FIFA.
But it now looks like Joseph Blatter will get the go-ahead on Wednesday to extend his stint in the governing body’s top seat to 17 years.
Unless 75 percent of the organisation’s 208 member associations vote down the congressional agenda, it is hard to see what can stop the ‘election’ from going ahead, in spite of a campaign that has achieved the seemingly impossible by turning FIFA into even more of an international laughing-stock than it was before.
Triesman England 2018 allegations unproven concludes FA report
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – The four Executive Committee members, including Trinidad’s Jack Warner, accused by the former chairman of England’s 2018 World Cup bid chairman David Triesman of seeking sweeteners have been cleared by an independent report commissioned by the Football Association, FIFA disclosed today.
Bin Hammam and Warner suspended by FIFA over corruption allegations but Blatter free to contest election
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – The gravest corruption scandal in the history of FIFA exploded into controversy tonight when Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner, the two figures at the centre of the affair, were provisionally suspended pending a full inquiry but Sepp Blatter was given the all-clear to stand unopposed for a fourth term as the organisation’s President.
Blatter, Bin Hammam and Warner attend Ethics Committee hearing in Zurich
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – The FIFA Ethics Committee hearing into bribery allegations involving three of football’s most powerful administrators got under way today amid speculation that at least two of them will be suspended and that the Presidential vote, scheduled for Wednesday (June 1), could be called off.
Pound warns countries may have to break away to solve FIFA crisis
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Dick Pound has given his backing to member countries breaking away from FIFA if there is no end to the spate of corruption scandals.
Bin Hammam withdraws from race for FIFA President
By David Owen
May 29 – FIFA’s chaotic Presidential election took a sensational new twist when the challenger, Mohamed Bin Hammam, unexpectedly withdrew his candidacy.
Premier League confirm Kroenke’s Arsenal takeover
By David Gold
May 28 – Stan Kroenke’s takeover of Arsenal has been confirmed by the Premier League, and shareholders wishing to take up his offer for their shares have 14 days to accept.