Unlucky 13? FIFA pick video refs for Moscow World Cup duty
May 1 – FIFA have named the 13 video assistant referees who could become heroes or villains with their decision making at next month’s World Cup in Russia.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Nigeria push FIFA to the limits over political meddling, CAF bans matchfixing ref
May 1 – FIFA have warned Nigeria that they could be kicked out of the World Cup if they don’t sort out their internal affairs.
Dortmund’s Şahin signs for Harvard Business School
By David Owen
May 1 – Nuri Şahin has struck a blow for footballer-intellectuals, gaining admittance to the uber-prestigious Harvard Business School in the United States.
FIFA calms waters with ‘undue influence’ warning after Trump’s tweet storm
By Andrew Warshaw
April 30 – In what can only be construed as a rap over the knuckles, FIFA has been quick to clarify its rules of conduct over government interference following last week’s remarkable politically-charged tweet by US President Donald Trump that appeared to violate the 2026 World Cup bid process.
David Owen: Wait for the detail before assessing Wembley deal
“What will be the future of Wembley Stadium?” This might have been a headline last week, as news emerged of a possible deal to sell Europe’s best jumbo-sized football venue to Shahid Khan, owner of tier-two Fulham and the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL).
Salah fury at Egyptian FA as lines crossed over his image rights deal with Vodafone
By Samindra Kunti
April 30 – Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah has been angered over the unauthorised use of his image, blaming the Egyptian Football Association in a dispute that comes less than two months before the World Cup in Russia.
In denial Del Nero to appeal life ban with lawyers saying there is no proof
April 30 – Former Brazilian FA (CBF) president Marco Polo Del Nero, who had his suspension turned into a life ban for bribery and corruption by FIFA’s ethics committee last Friday, says he will appeal against the verdict even though it wouldn’t appear he has much chance of clearing his name.
Halilhodzic says he is confused over why Japan fired him from national team job
April 30 – Three weeks after being fired as Japan’s national coach, Vahid Halilhodzic says he still doesn’t know why he was ousted as he launched a passionate defence of his time of charge.
Short sells Sunderland, writing off £100m of debt to get the deal done
By Paul Nicholson
April 30 – Ellis Short (pictured), US billionaire of former Premier League club Sunderland, is selling up and getting out of English football after a ten-year ownership spell that has seem him lose £250 million.
Yadea signs on for title sponsorship of Chinese Futsal even, using its 2018 World Cup assets
April 30 – China’s football expansion beyond the 11-a-side game has a new commercial supporter with electric bike company Yadea announcing that they have become the title sponsor of the country’s elite futsal league – Sina Elite 5X5 Football League 2018.
Maradona quits coaching job at UAE’s Al Fujairah with club in play-off positions
April 30 – Argentine legend Diego Maradona has left as coach of Al Fujairah by mutual consent after the club missed out on automatic promotion from the United Arab Emirates’ second division.
Trump bids for 2026 World Cup glory with ‘vote for us or suffer’ tweet
By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – The increasingly bitter race to stage the 2026 World Cup has been plunged into unchartered and unprecedented territory after tweets by US president Donald Trump appeared to violate strict FIFA rules over the bid process.
Boat sailed: FIFA Ethics bans Brazilian Marco Polo Del Nero for life
April 27 – Former Brazilian FA (CBF) president Marco Polo Del Nero, already suspended by FIFA’s Ethics committee last December, has had that suspension turned into a life ban from all football-related activities at both national and international level.
Keeping it in the family: FIFA Ethics drops Samoura investigation
By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – Just six days after apparently being reported to FIFA’s ethics committee for an alleged conflict of interest relating to Morocco’s 2026 World Cup bid, FIFA number two Fatma Samoura has been told she has no case to answer, fuelling speculation of a botched behind-the-scenes plot to have the Moroccans thrown out of the process.
The Great British sell-off: Wembley set to go for £900m to Shahid Khan
April 27 – In a move that has split public opinion across the nation, the most iconic venue in English football, the national stadium at Wembley, could be sold within weeks following a multi-millionaire pound bid by US billionaire Shahid Khan.