Drive to boost numbers of top level women coaches given FIFA support
June 25 – FIFA has launched a scholarship programme for female coaches in a bid to boost the number of A licenced coaches.
FIFA
First FIFA Women’s Leadership course debuts in Vancouver before WC Final
June 25 – With the Women’s World Cup in Canada the focus of world football attention, FIFA has launched the first edition of the Female Leadership Development Programme with the first module scheduled to kick off in Vancouver July 4, just before the Women’s World Cup final.
Government watchdog points finger at banks in FIFA corruption scandal
By Mark Baber
June 23 – Whilst most attention has been focused on the role of the FIFA President and General-Secretary in relation to the current US and Swiss investigations of corruption in football, a largely unnoticed statement by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – the inter-governmental body whose responsibility it is to promote policies to protect the global financial system against money laundering – has pointed a finger of blame at financial institutions.
Teixeira denies bribes but details vote swapping deal
June 22 – Former FIFA and Brazilian powerbroker Ricardo Teixeira has spoken openly for the first time about his role in the 2018 and 2022 bid process, describing claims that he took bribes as “nonsense.”
Blatter sticks to reform agenda with proposed exco change and integrity checks
By Andrew Warshaw
June 22 – Writing in the latest edition of FIFA magazine, president Sepp Blatter talks of the need to “strengthen democracy within the ‘FIFA government’.”
Private Swiss bank Julius Baer blocks accounts of FIFA bosses
By Paul Nicholson
June 19 – Zurich-based private bank Julius Baer is emerging as one of the key conduits for South American and US money in the FIFA corruption scandal. The bank has reacted by freezing the accounts of several football officials as well as blocking credit cards linked to those accounts.
Liberia’s Bility ready to take on the FIFA challenge for Africa
By Andrew Warshaw
June 19 – No date has yet been fixed for elections to replace Sepp Blatter but already a second candidate has expressed interest in taking over as FIFA president. After former Brazil superstar Zico, Musa Bility (pictured), president of the Liberian Football Association, has said he is keen to be a contender.
Scala reiterates change is coming, Sexwale enters Palestine/Israel fray
By Andrew Warshaw
June 16 – Any move by Sepp Blatter to consider changing his mind about stepping down as FIFA president in the wake of the current corruption crisis engulfing his organisation is being firmly discouraged by Domenico Scala, the official who has emerged as the key figure in pushing through much-needed reforms.
Interpol suspends anti-corruption agreement with FIFA
By David Owen
June 12 – Interpol has suspended a landmark four-year-old agreement with FIFA following investigations into corruption against world football’s governing body.
German power play? Niersbach puts forward radical FIFA reform plan
By Mark Baber
June 11 – In an open letter, sent to the 26,000 clubs organised in the German Football Association (DFB) and published on the DFB web site, DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach has put forward a 10-point plan for FIFA reform. With the battle for control of football about to enter a critical phase, Niersbach suggests ending the current system of one member one vote in FIFA decision-making.
US Department of Justice leaks drive FIFA corruption news agenda
By Mark Baber
June 11 – Whilst former FIFA executive Jack Warner on Tuesday used his own newspaper to blast the US investigation against him, it has become clear that the news agenda on the FIFA corruption crisis is being driven by selective leaking from inside the US Department of Justice.
Blatter prepares Congress for a Christmas trip to Zurich
By Andrew Warshaw
June 10 – A new FIFA president could be in place by Christmas according to the time scale being put in place to replace Sepp Blatter. As developments move on apace in the wake of Blatter’s dramatic decision to step down, reports suggest that mid-December could be the date when football’s world governing body enters a new era at an extraordinary Congress.
FIFA crisis forces vote for 2026 World Cup to be postponed
By Paul Nicholson
June 10 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has said that the vote to award the host country for the World Cup 2026 needs to be postponed in light of the current events circling FIFA.
China enters FIFA debate and condemns US ‘geopolitical objectives’
By Mark Baber
June 9 – In a commentary, Xinhua, the official press agency of China, has claimed the indictment of FIFA officials exposes Washington’s arrogance as “world police” and also “set a bad precedent for international relations.”
Scala focuses FIFA reform on smaller exco, term limits and integrity checks
By Andrew Warshaw
June 9 – Domenico Scala, the Swiss official who has emerged as the key figure spearheading reform at FIFA and orchestrating a smooth transition to the next president, has outlined the chain of events that led to him being plunged into the limelight when Sepp Blatter resigned.