Salman gets backing of 12-member AFF for AFC presidency
March 18 – The 12 member Asean Football Federation (AFF) has pledged it allegiance to for Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in the April election for AFC President.
Author: Paul Nicholson
English football criticised for double standards for lack of tribute for NZ mosque killings
March 18 – English football authorities – the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association – have all been accused of double standards for not holding tributes for the 50 people tragically killed in New Zealand’s mosque attacks.
FIFA cashed-in on its problem-plagued cycle, but missed the big money opportunity
So, how were the last four years for the FIFA business? With the governing body’s 2018 financial report finally published in the wake of the Miami Council meeting, a proper analysis can now be attempted.
Teargas forces game off as Panathinaikos fans run riot, attacking Olympiakos bench
March 18 – Greek football has been plunged back into ignominy with Panathinaikos’ derby with Olympiakos Piraeus abandoned on Sunday after their fans attempted to attack players on the visiting team’s bench.
FIFA unveil 20-teams and London host venue for inaugural eNations Cup
March 18 – FIFA has announced team and hosting details of its first eNations Cup, the third competition leg in its esports roster that will see 20 national teams compete in London April 13-14.
Infantino 1, Europe 0 – Club World Cup gets FIFA go-ahead, 48-team Qatar 2022 t/c
By Andrew Warshaw
March 15 – Hailing what he described as a “milestone in the history of FIFA and worldwide club football”, Gianni Infantino triumphantly announced today that he had won his battle to introduce a ground-breaking 24-team Club World Cup in the summer of 2021 to replace the Confederations Cup.
Exclusive: Lid lifted on CAF boss Ahmad’s empire of corrupt deals and bought officials
By Paul Nicholson
March 15 – The corruption that has riddled the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and its federations, has now struck at the very top of the organisation with president Ahmad Ahmad being accused of contract fraud, mismanagement of CAF funds, and the payment of $20,000 sums directly into the private bank accounts of federation presidents.
Cordeiro keeps door to Conmebol calendar talks open
March 15 – US Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro’s proposal for an expanded 2020 Copa America may have been rejected by Conmebol, but the US football supremo has said that the invitation to host the tournament is still open.
Oceania VP Harmon questions timing of his FIFA suspension day before OFC elections
March 15 – Suspended Oceania vice-president Lee Harmon has protested his innocence after being hit with a three-month ban by FIFA over the resale of tickets at last summer’s World Cup in Russia, questioning the timing and saying everything was above board.
South America’s Conmebol reports record revenue of $227 million
March 15 – The South American Football Confederation Conmebol has reported a record revenue of $227 million for 2018 after an increase in sponsorship for the continent’s flagship club competition the Copa Libertadores, but overall the organisation’s net profit fell.
Deja vu all over again for Man Utd and Barca. City and Spurs drawn together
March 15 – A mouth-watering Champions League quarterfinal draw saw Tottenham Hotspur draw the short straw by being paired with Premier League champions Manchester City while Barcelona meet Manchester United in a repeat of the 2009 and 2011 finals both won by the Catalan giants.
Beckham’s Inter Miami will make 2020 MLS debut in temporary Fort Lauderdale home
March 15 – David Beckham’s new Major League team Inter Miami will play their first two seasons 30 miles north of the city in a temporary stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Brexit or no Brexit, English players are currently on the decline in England
March 15 – With Brexit talks dominating the news agenda in the UK, the latest data from the CIES Football Observatory is a timely look at the playing time of footballers in the Premier League who have grown up in England.
Visa granted, Ahmad arrives in time to throw his vote behind 48-team Qatar 2022
March 15 – Africa’s most powerful football official finally received his visa at the 11th hour to attend FIFA’s all-important Council meeting in Miami amid reports his region would back calls for an expanded World Cup in Qatar.
FIFAgate investigator Weber joins speaker line-up for SIGA Forum in NY, March 26
March 15 – Former United States IRS criminal investigation chief Richard Weber will be one of the speakers at the SIGA Sport Integrity Forum, March 26, at the New York Athletic Club, New York.