Zimbabwe woman killed in stampede as crowd rush to get into game
March 25 – A female fan died Sunday during a stampede outside Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium in Harare, the latest tragedy at an African international fixture.
Author: Paul Nicholson
More support for Salman from Central Asia as Al Mohannadi stays in the race, for now
March 25 – The surge in support for AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa for his re-election campaign to the Asian Football Confederation presidency has reached almost tidal wave proportions with the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) being the latest to announce its “unanimous support” for his continued leadership.
Delaney switches roles at FAI as unexplained €100k loan casts shadow
March 25 – Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive John Delaney has stepped aside from the role just 10 days before he was due to appear before a parliamentary committee to be questioned over a €100,000 loan he provided to his federation two years ago.
Seat, Pelayo, and Sanitas renew deals with RFEF
March 25 – The Royal Spanish Fottball Federation (RFEF) has scored a hat trick of sponsorship renewals with Spanish carmaker Seat, insurance firm Pelayo, and private health clinic Sanitas all agreement extended terms.
Somalis commit to speeding up regional development support funding
March 25 – The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has embarked on series of assessments of facilities in its regional states with surveys in Jubbaland (Waamo Stadium pictured) and South West sate highlighting funding priorities.
Whistleblower Pinto shipped back to Portugal to face ‘extortion’ charges
By Andrew Warshaw
March 22 – Rui Pinto, the man behind a string of incriminating leaks that shook the footballing world, has been controversially extradited from Hungary, where he had been living, to his native Portugal.
Player injury payouts cost FIFA $106m, but a healthy Russia 2018 kept them under budget
By David Owen
March 22 – The Club Protection Programme (CPP) cost FIFA $106.5 million over the 2015-18 business cycle, well below the initial sum budgeted of $120 million.
FIFA rules out artificial pitches for Women’s 2023 World Cup bidders
March 22 – FIFA has moved to prevent the use of artificial pitches at the 2023 Women’s World Cup after the 2015 tournament in Canada was marred by controversy over artificial turf.
FIFA gives Chiriboga a life ban for bribery and a $1m fine
March 22 – Luis Chiriboga, for 18 years president of Ecuador’s FA and one of those indicted in the US-led crackdown on football corruption, is the latest senior official to bite the dust. FIFA have banned him for life for bribery.
No appeasement in Cyprus as Turkish politico snubs peace match
March 22 – The president of Turkish-run Northern Cyprus, Mustafa Akinci, reportedly snubbed a landmark football match against Greek Cypriot opposition on the divided island this week because of a dispute over where it was played.
Delaney’s £100k personal loan to cashflow the FAI under scrutiny
March 22 – John Delaney, chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), has unwittingly become the centre of attention over loaning €100,000 of his own money to the federation in 2017.
Ronaldo escapes ban for ‘crotch’ celebration but get €20k fine
March 22 – Cristiano Ronaldo has avoided a ban and instead been fined €20,000 euros by UEFA for his controversial goal celebration in Juventus’ win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, clearing him to play in the quarterfinals.
Al Rumaithi pulls out of AFC presidential race leaving Salman almost clear
By Paul Nicholson
March 22 – The UAE’s Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi has confirmed he is pulling out of the race for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) which culminates at the confederation’s congress in Kuala Lumpur on April 6.
Sports Law at the Crossroads: Schedule released for May conference in Madrid
March 22 – New FIFA regulations surrounding player transfers and their status, will be the focus of the Sports Law at the Crossroads conference, Madrid 10-11 May. A second day will examine the growth of esports and the game-changing regulatory issues it is presenting.
Salman in pole position as Al-Rumaithi hints at withdrawing from AFC presidential election
By Paul Nicholson
March 21 – The UAE’s Mohamed Khalfan Al-Rumaithi looks set to withdraw from the election for the AFC President’s on April 6.