FIFA links with UNODC for match-fixing educational programme
March 16 – FIFA is intensifying its fight against match-fixing by linking up with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) over its Global Integrity Programme.
Africa’s new regime of Motsepe-CAF-FIFA immediately tested with Sudan ethics complaint
By Paul Nicholson
March 16 – Just four days after Patrice Motsepe took the leadership of CAF and two days after FIFA’s Veron Mosengo-Omba was shifted from Zurich to CAF as its General Secretary, their first ethical challenge concerning an African member association has arisen.
AFC expands broadcast footprint with TV Start in Russia and CIS
March 16 – The AFC is continuing to advance its global footprint with the addition of a new broadcaster in Europe for its national team and club competitions.
Bahraini investor takes control of Wigan
March 16 – Wigan’s administrators have announced a deal for the sale of the club that in 2013 was in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup, but is now battling for survival and to avoid the drop to England’s fourth professional tier.
Africa conquered: Infantino foot soldier Veron quits Zurich to takeover at CAF in Cairo
By Andrew Warshaw
March 15 – Having seen the man he backed become head of African football, Gianni Infantino now has the luxury of even more influence across the Continent after one of FIFA’s top officials was parachuted into the Confederation of African Football’s number two role at the weekend.
Johansen manoeuvred into position at FIFA Council
March 15 – The CAF elections last Friday saw a whole suite of FIFA’s favourite Africans jostled into position both at the confederation and as their representatives at FIFA. Among the change was the further rise of Isha Johansen, Sierra Leone’s FA president, at the expense of long term incumbent Lydia Nsekera from Burundi.
French league hopes court win against Canal+ will put TV rights re-sale back on track
March 15 – France’s Professional Football League (LFP) has won a legal battle against Canal+ with a French commercial court ruling that the LFP was within its rights to tender only the TV rights abandoned by Mediapro following the collapse of the rights deal with the Spanish-sino agency.
Qatar 2022 boycott: Norwegians wary of pull-out, Danes petition for parliamentary debate
March 15 – Calls in Norway for a boycott of next year’s World Cup in Qatar continue to be fiercely debated following an initiative launched recently by top-flight clubs Tromso and Odds Ballklubb.
Le Graet overcomes critics to secure fourth term as French federation president
March 15 – French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet (pictured) was re-elected for a fourth term after an easy victory over his two opponents despite reports of a toxic culture at the governing body.
Glazer set to raise $100m from Man Utd share sale
March 15 – Manchester United co-chairman Avram Glazer (pictured) has put 5 million of his club shares up for sale in an offering that is expected to close tomorrow and gross him more than €100 million.
Talks open on allowing 20,000 fans into Wembley for FA Cup final
March 15 – Talks are under way to allow up to 20,000 fans – around a quarter of capacity at Wembley – at this season’s FA Cup final as one of the pilot events for the large-scale return of spectators in the wake of the coronavirus.
Derbystar renews ball deal early for another four years of Bundesliga
March 15 – Germany’s DFL has renewed its official ball deal with Derbystar for a further four years, concluding the agreement a year before the current deal expires and taking the partnership through to the end of the 2025-26 season.
Motsepe crowned at CAF, promising urgent change and a brave new world
By Paul Nicholson
March 12 – South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe took the throne of African football at the 43rd CAF Congress today, profusely thanking his many ‘brothers’ before sending a clear message at the end of the meeting that there is an urgent need to progress the game in Africa and that it can’t be done without the buy-in of the private sector in all member nations.
Politicking sorted, Infantino opens CAF Congress with praise for Africa’s unity
By Paul Nicholson
March 12 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino opened the 43rd CAF Congress in Rabat, Morocco – pretty much his home constituency in the balance of FIFA’s politics these days – with an emphasis on African unity and yet another pledge to drive Africa to the top of the world game on the field of play.
Gianni’s jet: Federal court rules out witness evidence but criminal case not grounded
March 12 – After a series of legal losses in his battle against criminal prosecution in Switzerland, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had a win yesterday when the Swiss Federal Criminal Court ruled in favour of one of four complaints Infantino’s legal team had made in December 2020.