FIFA holds back Player Fund cash pledged to 420 unpaid players
October 24 – FIFA has been accused of not paying the final part of agreed sums to players across Europe whose contracts have not been honoured by their clubs.
FIFA
BWI warns FIFA has turned a blind eye to Saudi Arabian human rights risks
October 24 – World governing body FIFA is again under fire following the accusation by trade union Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) that it is refusing to engage on human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia, defying its own human rights obligations.
Women’s players lobby FIFA to end ‘shocking’ Aramco sponsorship
October 22 – More than 100 internationals in the women’s game are calling on FIFA to reconsider allowing Saudi Arabian oil company Saudi Aramco to be a sponsor.
Divide and conquer: Infantino uses Spanish players’ union meet to show he does care
October 21 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists player welfare “remains a priority” despite top European leagues and players’ union Fifpro filing a legal complaint to the European Commission against the world governing body.
FIFA in raptures as Messi (and his team) qualify for their unloved Club World Cup
October 21 – No Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan or Arsenal, not even Atletico Madrid. The Club World Cup is without five of the biggest and most supported clubs in the world. But it does now have Lionel Messi… and his five-season-old club Inter Miami who have been give a wild card entry into the tournament.
Tebas tells Infantino to cancel Club World Cup warning it will take FIFA funds from federations
October 17 – Outspoken LaLiga president Javier Tebas has called on Gianni Infantino to call off his pet project, the expanded Club World Cup, arguing that “it is not necessary for the players, nor for the clubs, nor for FIFA, and all it does is cause disorganisation.”
FIFA plugs in computer giant Lenovo in for two World Cup deal
October 16 – FIFA have signed Chinese computer giant Lenovo as a global sponsor for the next two World Cups, the men’s 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup, both of which will be played in the Americas.
FIFPRO boss warns strike is inevitable unless players are shown more respect
October 15 – Players have never been closer to going on strike amid growing discontent over an increasingly congested calendar, according to the head of their global union FIFPRO.
Post-Diarra ruling FIFA legal chief opens floor for debate but emphasises transfer system is not broken
October 15 – FIFA has said that it will open dialogue with stakeholders an article 17 of its Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) following the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling in the Lassana Diarra case that found of its transfer rules are contrary to EU law.
FIFPRO and European Leagues file legal complaint over FIFA’s ‘abuse of dominant position’
October 14 – FIFPRO Europe and the European Leagues association have followed through on their threat and, filed a complaint tothe European Commission against FIFA over the international match calendar.
Swiss prosecutors drop 9-year World Cup ticketing probe into former FIFA boss Jérôme Valcke
October 14 – Almost a decade into a World Cup black market tickets investigation, the Swiss criminal case against former FIFA number two Jérôme Valcke, for years Sepp Blatter’s right-hand man, has finally been closed.
Brazil top men’s and women’s Futsal rankings as FIFA focuses spotlight on short form game
October 14 – The second edition of FIFA’s Futsal World Ranking see Brazil top both the men’s and women’s sections, increasing their dominance of the men’s ranking following their World Cup win in Uzbekistan last month.
FIFA and Konami push the partnership button for two esports World Cups
October 11 – After a gap in which FIFA was left without a major partner in the esports arena following the licensing fallout with EA Sports over the EA Sports long-running FIFA series, the world governing body has agreed a collaboration with Konami Digital Entertainment Co.
Saudi 2034 bid to tell their story manga-style
10 October 2024 – The Saudi Arabian bid team for the World Cup 2034 have made a point of expanding horizons and cultural connections. Their latest initiative takes them into world of comic books and a special edition manga, Japan’s iconic style of comic-book art.
FIFA tweaks transfer rules to allow players to join or stay at clubs for CWC
October 9 – FIFA are so keen to make the expanded Club World Cup, Gianni Infantino’s pet project, be a success despite widespread opposition from player unions that they are willing to rewrite transfer rules.