IFAB tests 8-second rule in clampdown on goalkeeper time-wasting
March 3 – Football’s lawmakers are trying again to reduce time-wasting by goalkeepers, one of the bugbears of fans worldwide.
FIFA
Tunisia’s Wadie Jary remains a FIFA insider despite being sentenced to 4-year jail term
February 26 – Tunisia’s Wadie Jary remains listed as a member of FIFA’s member associations committee even though he was convicted of corruption and handed a four-year prison sentence.
Coca-Cola puts rights lawsuit behind them and buys into FIFA’s Club World Cup
February 21 – Coca-Cola has resolved its legal dispute with FIFA to become an official sponsor of this summer’s much-criticised expanded Club World Cup.
FIFA starts Brazilian site visits in prep for 2027 Women’s World Cup
February 19 – With two years until the 2027 Women’s World Cup, FIFA has conducted inspections in Brazil to identify training sites and hotels for the tournament.
FIFA pledges new era of transparency in player eligibility with launch of digital platform
February 18 – FIFA has launched a new digital platform listing all approved changes of association, promising a new era of transparency in international football governance – or at least in this particular corner of it.
Saudi ambassador confirms 2034 World Cup will be booze-free event
February 13 – There will be no alcohol available at the 2034 Saudi World Cup, according to the country’s ambassador to the UK, who confirmed that the rule would be even more strictly imposed than at the tournament in Qatar three years ago.
FIFA suspends staffer following arrest for alleged sex with a minor
February 13 – FIFA has suspended a British staffer following a report that federal agents in the USA had arrested him for alleged sex with a minor. The Miami Herald claimed Jack Coles met a 14-year-old boy for sex at a hotel when he was in the city on business last year, according to court records.
Bayern fans irate at FIFA Club World Club ticket pricing and cancellation fees
February 13 – Bayern Munich fans have accused FIFA of “selling hot air” after the world federation introduced cheaper tickets for Club World Cup fixtures.
German media outlet Sportschau reports that there was a catch to FIFA’s offer of cheaper seats: fans who had previously acquired expensive tickets were faced with high cancellation fees to exchange for lower priced options.
Top FIFA music exec arrested in Miami for gay sex with a minor
February 12 – FIFA has been plunged into scandal following a report that federal agents in the USA have arrested one of the organisation’s executives for alleged sex with a minor.
Jan transfer window smashed previous record high by 47%
February 10 – The January 2025 transfer window broke multiple records in both men’s and women’s football, according to FIFA’s International Transfer Snapshot report released at the end of last week.
Premier League says FIFA’s imposition of CWC will not alter 2025/26 season start date
February 5 – The English Premier League has accused FIFA of going “too far” with the expanded Club World Cup and says it won’t allow special dispensation for the two English teams involved in next summer’s competition, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Costa Rican side take FIFA to court over failure to enforce club ownership rules
February 4 – Costa Rican club Alajuelense are taking their fight to play in the expanded Club World Cup to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). They have launched legal action against FIFA over what they see as the governing body’s failure to enforce its own rules regarding club ownership in the 32-team tournament.
FIFA tells European Parliament to get back in line after their 2034 World Cup bid criticisms
February 3 – In a strongly worded letter, world governing body FIFA has rebuked criticism by Members of the European Parliament over the host award of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.
After ‘peace in our time’ Infantino love-in, trade war erupts between 2026 World Cup partners
February 3 – US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, prompting a trade war between the long-time allies and the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.