Blatter builds on his African platform with development promise
February 16 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter is leaving no stone unturned in his determination to secure the African vote at the presidential election in May.
FIFA
Kasper skis back into Winter World Cup row with avalanche of complaint
By Andrew Warshaw
February 12 – As FIFA prepares to formally approve plans to switch the 2022 Qatar World Cup to winter to avoid the searing June-July Gulf heat, the president of the International Ski Federation (FIS) has denounced football’s world governing body for selfishness over the effect such a decision would have on the winter sports schedule.
Women left on the margins of football’s power game
By David Owen
February 12 – Women footballers are preparing to take centre-stage at the World Cup in Canada this Summer, but a new report shows they remain on the margins of the sport’s power game.
FIFA presidential race: a leaky business
February 11 – Mark Pieth (pictured), the Swiss expert hired by FIFA president Sepp Blatter to submit recommendations for reform to improve the organisation’s battered image, has suggested that much-publicised leaks about his work may be linked to the current presidential election campaign.
Boost for women’s game as Club World Cup proposal heads for approval
By Andrew Warshaw
February 11 – Women’s football looks set to make a significant breakthrough with the introduction of a women’s Club World Cup to mirror the annual men’s event that comprises the regional club champions from each of FIFA’s six confederations plus the host country’s league winner.
Prince Ali beats the reform drum over reform report ‘interference’
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, one of the three candidates vying to take over from FIFA president Sepp Blatter, is the latest official to express his concern at FIFA allegedly changing a key independent report into reform of the organisation.
Final four pass inspection. Let the presidential race begin…again
February 10 – Sepp Blatter and the three candidates vying to dethrone him have been successfully vetted, making them eligible to officially battle for the presidency of FIFA on May 29.
Ghost of ISL scandal returns to bite FIFA, as reform emails leaked
By Andrew Warshaw
February 9 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s chief legal adviser faces allegations of watering down a key report into reform recommendations in order to spare Blatter from potentially damaging criticism.
Exclusive: Champagne blames European ‘squeeze’ for cutting him out
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
February 6 – While the three contenders bidding to unseat FIFA president Sepp Blatter fine-tune their tactics, Jerome Champagne, the first to put his name forward more than a year ago, has strengthened his criticism of Europe for deliberately squeezing him out of the race.
Lawmakers to rule on 4th sub, sin-bins and ‘stop-the-clock’ proposal
By Andrew Warshaw
February 3 – Football’s lawmakers will consider allowing a fourth substitution in extra-time as well as finally doing away with the so-called “triple punishment” when they hold their main annual meeting later this month.
Blatter opens with promise on human rights and support for Aussies
By Andrew Warshaw
February 2 – Sepp Blatter has fired the opening salvo in his bid to remain as FIFA president by pledging that countries with poor human rights records would never again be allowed to stage the World Cup as long as he is in office.
FIFA four head for the hustings
February 2 – FIFA have formally announced that four candidates, including present incumbent Sepp Blatter, are in the running to become president at the election on May 29.
Champagne exits FIFA race, firing his cork at Platini’s politicking
By Andrew Warshaw
February 2 – Jerome Champagne, the first prospective contender to take on Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, is out of the race after angrily accusing his critics of deliberately blocking his bid to gain sufficient backing.
Figo finds favour and joins race for FIFA hot seat
January 30 – Six European federations have formally endorsed Luis Figo’s bid to become FIFA president, sweeping away any doubts about whether Portugal’s most capped footballer will meet one of the strict criteria for standing.
News analysis: deadline signals end to phoney war, let battle commence
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
January 30 – The deadline for applications has passed. But the political manoeuvrings and strategic mind games have only just begun. Welcome to another tactical FIFA election process.