Brasileirão clubs reject VAR over costs and lack of confidence in system
February 6 – Brazil’s top division has rejected implementing video technology both because of cost and uncertainty over the system’s consistency.
Author: Paul Nicholson
Rogue’s gallery: CAF elects Ngaissona despite allegations of being a terrorist group leader
By Samindra Kunti in Casablanca, Morocco
February 5 – Edouard Ngaissona from the Central African Republic (CAR) has sparked more controversy and suspicion over football governance in Africa after being elected to the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the top table of football decision making in the region.
Ahmad backs Morocco 2026 bid but stops short of publicly mandating African block vote
By Andrew Warshaw
February 5 – FIFA’s strict (some might argue over-the-top) directive to its member federations not to break any rules during the current lobbying campaign for the 2026 World Cup has led to understandable irritation at the head of African football’s leadership.
Sierra Leone row over Johansen flares as FIFA accused of not respecting the country’s laws
February 5 – The bitter in-fighting over who runs the game in Sierra Leone has burst back into the spotlight after FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura (pictured right with Isha Johansen) with wrote to the country’s sports minister, Ahmed Khanou, warning him not to interfere.
Hosts Morocco put on the style to beat Nigeria to their first CHAN title
By Samindra Kunti in Casablanca, Morocco
February 5 – In the pouring rain Morocco waltzed to a superb maiden African Nations Championship title, crushing ten-men Nigeria 4-0. Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi, CHAN’s top scorer with nine goals, was named player of the tournament.
Barcelona head for the big screen with Pixar talks on animated feature film
February 5 – The move by clubs into general entertainment television programming via reality style behind-the scenes shows has now been taken a step further with Barcelona reportedly in preliminary talks with Disney-owned Pixar over the making of an animated feature film.
No cold comfort for Rosell as Spanish keep his assets frozen
February 5 – Once one of the most influential figures in European football, playing a prominent role in the European Club Association and representing that body on various UEFA and FIFA committees, former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell continues to have his assets frozen in Spain.
Man City to head to US for pre-season, ICC and a Soccer Festival in LA
February 5 – Manchester City have become the first of Europe’s big clubs to confirm they will be playing in the International Champions Cup (ICC) tournament this summer in the US.
Juventus tread new path In China signing Linglong Tire as global partner
February 5 – Serie A champions Juventus have continued their marketing push in China with the addition of Shandong-based Linglong Tire as the Italian club’s Official Global Tire Partner.
Exclusive: FIFA set to analyse Russia 2018 anti-doping samples in Lausanne
By David Owen
February 2 – For the second World Cup running, FIFA is planning to test anti-doping samples at a laboratory outside the host country.
Esports busts $1.5bn mark 2017 with new leagues to drive growth to $2.3bn by 2023
February 2 – Revenue for the esports industry hit $1.5 billion in 2017 and is predicted to grow by 26% in 2023 to more than $2.3 billion.
ESSA reports 266 suspicious betting cases in 2017, 45 in football
February 2 – The ESSA, the 26-member bookmaker betting integrity group, has announced 266 cases of suspicious betting being reported to relevant authorities in 2017, with 114 of them in the last quarter. Football made up 45 of the reported alerts.
Down but not out? Blatter considers suing FIFA in Switzerland
February 2 – Sepp Blatter may be yesterday’s man but says he is not yet resigned with being for ever tarnished with having broken ethics rules.
Cameroon clearing hurdles on route to AFCON 2019 hosting
February 2 – Cameroon has reportedly been given a provisional green light to stage the region’s flagship event, the African Cup of Nations, in 2019.
Infantino takes aim at agents’ fees and money ‘flowing out’ of football
February 2 – With transfer fees having crashed through the roof once again in January, one of the unknown factors is just how much went to agents.