Real Madrid and Germany dominate Ballon d’Or shortlist
October 28 – Six Real Madrid players are on the 23-man shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or FIFA World Player of the Year award.
FIFA
Turf war hits new level of aggression as women complain of intimidation
By Andrew Warshaw
October 28 – Lawyers representing an elite group of international players fighting to play on natural grass at next June’s Women’s World Cup have added a retaliation claim against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association, claiming “unlawful reprisal threats” towards those participating.
Relations with Winter games feds go down hill fast as Kasper warns on TV cash
By Andrew Warshaw
October 28 – As FIFA builds towards the latest meeting with football’s stakeholders to discuss exactly when to stage the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, one of the main winter sports bodies has warned against a clash with the Winter Olympics.
Prince Ali poised to run for position at the head of the FIFA table
By Paul Nicholson
October 22 – Latest rumours are that Asia’s FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan has been persuaded to run for the presidency of FIFA. If confirmed he could be the third candidate prepared to take on current FIFA president Sepp Blatter in his bid for a fifth term at the head of the world governing body.
Interviewee beware, FIFA ethics’ confidential doesn’t mean confidential after all
By Paul Nicholson
October 20 – In response to allegations and evidence that he promised confidentiality to those interviewed in his investigation of the bidding process for 2018 and 2022, FIFA’s chief ethics investigator, Michael Garcia, has told German news magazine Der Spiegel that the wording is merely a “standard statement”.
Exclusive: FIFA plans to ramp up Ebola aid and awareness drive
By Andrew Warshaw
October 20 – FIFA is to step up its global awareness drive highlighting the threat of the Ebola virus which has killed more than 4,500 people and has placed next year’s African Cup of Nations in serious jeopardy.
Eckert reiterates confidentiality but promises November report summary
By Andrew Warshaw
October 17 – The German judge overseeing FIFA’s investigation into possible corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup ballot has re-iterated once and for all that the 430-page report submitted to him cannot be published in full for legal reasons.
Exclusive: Was Garcia being disingenuous? Proof he promised confidentiality
By Paul Nicholson
October 15 – Insideworldfootball has received copy of correspondence from FIFA’s chairman of its investigatory chamber Michael Garcia proving he promised confidentiality to an interviewee in the investigation into the bidding cities and their conduct in the race to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Blatter adds to condemnation of bomb attacks on Cypriot refs
October 14 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has condemned the latest attack against referees in Cyprus, one of the less publicised by most worrying trends in European football.
Blatter calls for rethink of away goals rule
October 10 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has questioned the away goals rule, saying that it was conceived at a time when away games were often an adventure and playing conditions could vary significantly in favour of the home team.
D’Hooghe heads call for new concussion rule to be made law
By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – FIFA’s medical supremo Michel D’Hooghe wants time-outs for cases of concussion to become law so they are applied at domestic level throughout world football.
Coca-Cola’s Steele backs FIFA to act to get transparency right
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – One of FIFA’s leading World Cup sponsors responded emphatically today to accusations of staying silent over allegations of corruption that have swirled around world football’s governing body.
Mayne-Nicholls ponders a push for a place in the FIFA sun
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – The FIFA-appointed expert who headed the bidding countries evaluation committee and first cautioned about the dangers of taking the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, is considering running against Sepp Blatter for the world governing body’s presidency next year.
Brazil 2014 set records in several key TV markets – FIFA
By David Owen in Monte Carlo
October 8 – Viewing figures for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil set records in several key football markets, Niclas Ericson, FIFA’s director of TV, has told the Sportel Convention in Monaco.
Court issues deadline for FIFA and CSA response in World Cup 2015 turf war
By Andrew Warshaw
October 3 – FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) have been given until next Thursday to respond to the legal action being taken by a group of leading players who are suing both organisations claiming gender discrimination over the planned use of artificial pitches at next year’s Women’s World Cup.