By Andrew Warshaw
March 1 – The blanket ban on Russia in FIFA and UEFA competitions may not end there, with reports emerging that the Russian Football Union may take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
By Paul Nicholson
February 28 – Less than 24 hours after announcing a set of ‘soft’ sanctions against the Russian national team and the country’s clubs, FIFA and UEFA have bowed to overwhelming pressure from the football community, fans and media and suspended all teams from the country from participation in their competitions “until further notice”.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 28 – FIFA is refusing to kick Russia out of the World Cup despite finally imposing a string of sanctions in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
February 25 – Choosing his words carefully, FIFA president Gianni Infantino failed to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, instead saying his organisation was “very worried” about the escalating crisis.
February 24 – The national associations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have issued a joint statement refusing to play any World Cup playoffs in Russia in response to the military assault on Ukraine.
February 25 – FIFA have suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya from all international competition as a result of government interference in the running of their affairs.
February 18 – FIFA is reported to be considering increasing the number of players in World Cup squads from 23 to 26 because of the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 16 – FIFA’s biennial World Cup drive has suffered yet another setback after global players’ union FIFPRO revealed its members overwhelmingly oppose the idea.
February 16 – Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates has received a glowing post-event plaudits for its hosting of the Club World Cup having stepped in at the last minute to host the competition.
By Samindra Kunti
February 15 – FIFA have ordered Brazil and Argentina to replay their World Cup qualifier that was abandoned last September when Brazilian health officials stormed the pitch in Sao Paulo over alleged Covid-19 accusations by Argentinian visitors.
February 15 – Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Seychelles have been announced by FIFA as the three countries bidding to host the 2023 Beach Soccer World Cup.
February 15 – FIFA operations in Paris will not be subject to corporate taxes and social security contributions.
February 13 – Kai Havertz’s extra-time penalty strike crowned Chelsea World Champions with a 2-1 victory against Brazil’s Palmeiras in the final of the Club World Cup. The London club have now won every trophy available in the Roman Abramovich era.
February 11 – A decade after losing the 2012 competition, Chelsea will seek to win their first Club World Cup against Palmeiras from Brazil on Saturday to wrap up a tournament of which the future remains shrouded in mystery.
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Kenya’s women footballers have urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to personally intervene to allow a crucial World Cup qualifier to go ahead and save their dream of reaching next year’s finals.