FIFA fines Poland and England after Wembley flare-up
November 14 – FIFA has fined both England and Poland for the crowd trouble that occurred at their decisive World Cup qualifying match at Wembley last month.
FIFA
World Cup blood and urine samples to be sent to Switzerland for testing
By David Owen
November 13 – Blood and urine samples from players competing at next year’s FIFA World Cup are to be analysed in Switzerland, in a move likely to cause new embarrassment to Brazilian authorities.
Nigeria win fourth U17 FIFA World Cup title in Abu Dhabi
November 11 – So often fraught with controversy, Nigerian football is back in the spotlight for the right reasons after winning the world under-17 championship for a record fourth time, overpowering holders Mexico 3-0 in Abu Dhabi.
Second ticket window opens for Brazil 2014
November 11 – The second ticketing sales window for the 2014 World Cup Brazil opened today at 12:00 CET / 9:00 Brasilia time. More than 220,000 tickets are available in this sales window for 57 matches and FIFA is warning that demand is expected to be high. Unlike the first sales window, the second window will allocate tickets on a first come first served basis.
Blatter heads to Qatar with workers’ rights on his agenda
By Andrew Warshaw
November 8 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been urged not to return “empty-handed” from this weekend’s courtesy trip to Qatar which will take in the contentious issue of workers’ rights. Blatter is due to make a personal visit to the new emir of Qatar on Saturday to discuss the treatment of migrant workers following highly publicised reports of severe labour rights abuses that have caused widespread embarrassment to organisers of the 2022 World Cup.
Blatter questions World Cup play off format as last 11 places up for grabs
By Andrew Warshaw
November 6 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter is keen to scrap World Cup qualifying playoffs in future – because they are too painful for the losers. Blatter may not be around in 2018 depending on whether he stands for president again but says so many playoffs is a hard way for teams to miss out on the finals.
Winter World Cup faces opposition from winter sports bodies
By David Owen
November 5 – Pressure on FIFA over the timing of the 2022 World Cup has ratcheted up another notch, with news that the international skiing and snowboarding governing body is looking to forge a common front with other federations against holding the tournament in the winter sports season.
Act global think local, FIFA rethinks World Cup marketing packages
By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – For the first time ever, FIFA plans to offer companies the opportunity to purchase regional sponsorship packages for the World Cup, starting with Russia in 2018 and Qatar four years later. Speaking at a post-LOC 2018 board meeting in Kazan, FIFA’s Marketing Director Thierry Weil confirmed the new commercial structure, highlighting the opportunities and value on offer.
Blatter opens up to Oxford Union debating society on ‘fantasy’ and ‘fact’
By Andrew Warshaw
October 26 – Sepp Blatter, in an address to the Oxford Union, has launched a staunch defence of his long and at times controversial FIFA presidency, insisting he was no “ruthless parasite sucking the lifeblood out of football.” On the eve of attending the English Football Association’s gala dinner celebrating its 150th anniversary, Blatter gave an impassioned address to the famed university debating society.
Blatter calls for more World Cup places for Africa and Asia
October 25 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has once again re-opened the prickly debate over World Cup slots by declaring that Africa and Asia deserve more representation and Europe and South America less.
IFAB tighten goalline tech laws to improve accuracy
October 25 – Football’s lawmakers have sought to tighten up the accuracy of goalline technology, coincidentally following the latest controversy when Bayer Leverkusen’s Stefen Kiessling was awarded a goal even though his effort had entered through the side netting.
Player eligibility rules need tightening, says Gulati
By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – The head of the US Soccer Federation believes player eligibility rules need to be tightened up to stop promising young internationals having carte blanche to turn out for two different countries.
FIFA TMS unveils its Domestic Transfer Matching System for federations
By Mark Baber
October 10 – Transfer Matching System GmbH (FIFA TMS) announced on Wednesday the launch of a new Premium Service – the first Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS), designed to facilitate domestic transfers for member associations and clubs acting in the same jurisdiction.
Ghana request 2014 play-off move, but Egyptians say safety is no issue
By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – Ghana is demanding a neutral venue for next month’s all-important World Cup play-off against Egypt, saying it is too dangerous to play in Cairo.
Fernando ban extended to life by FIFA appeal panel
By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – Sri Lanka’s former FIFA executive committee member Vernon Manilal Fernando, regarded in some quarters as the Godfather of the region, has been banned for life by the governing body.