Germans to FIFA: ‘do you really think you will muzzle us?’
November 24 – In a defiant protest, Germany’s player covered their mouths against FIFA’s clampdown on free speech and the ban of the ‘OneLove’ armband’.
FIFA
Germans threaten legal action against FIFA over ‘OneLove’ armband ban
November 23 – Germany’s football association (DFB) is examining whether FIFA’s threat to impose sanctions against players who wanted to wear the ‘OneLove’ armband at the World Cup is legal.
FIFA clampdown leaves Vertonghen in fear of supporting OneLove; Belgium ordered to change shirts
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 23 – On the eve of Belgium’s opening game with Canada in the World Cup, Belgian veteran player Jan Vertonghen has said that he is afraid to talk about the OneLove armband.
A different league: Infantino’s FIFA still no match for UEFA when it comes to revenue growth
By David Owen
November 23 – So, what do you know: 55 minutes into that extraordinary hour-long tormented, angry pre-World Cup vent by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, some hard, or hard-ish, financial information.
FIFA shows no love for ‘OneLove’ campaign and threatens ‘sporting sanctions’
November 22 – European teams have reacted with disappointment and dismay after being forced by FIFA to abandon plans to wear ‘OneLove’ armbands at the World Cup in support of LGBTQ rights.
FIFA-time: Multiple extra minutes lead to more goals and injuries
November 22 – New FIFA guidelines resulted in more than an hour of stoppage time in the first four World Cup games in bid to maximise playing time and avoid time-wasting.
Betano puts its money on FIFA as governing body embraces sports betting
November 22 – FIFA, whose articles of association used to prevent it from betting partnerships as it was operating under Swiss chartable laws, has announced its first World Cup betting partner for an event that is taking place in a muslim country where all forms of betting are outlawed.
Iran’s protesting players and fans meet FIFA crackdown but message is heard worldwide
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 22 – Iran’s players boycotted their national anthem in a silent protest against the regime back home ahead of their World Cup curtain raiser against England.
Infantino’s lunatic rant stuns, chastises and divides world football
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 19 – In what was probably the most remarkable, unhinged and illogical rant ever made by a leading sports administrator, the kind of nonsense straight out of the Donald Trump play book, FIFA president Gianni Infantino embarqued on an almost-hour-long justification of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and chastisement of the western world.
FIFA sells out its Qatar 2022 sponsorship packages
November 21 – With the addition of three last minute regional sponsors, FIFA has announced that all its sponsorship packages for the Qatar 2022 World Cup have been sold out.
Infantino to get four more years as FIFA boss after deadline passes for challengers
November 18 – With impeccable and perhaps deliberate timing to gain maximum publicity on the eve of the World Cup, FIFA has announced that its president Gianni Infantino is getting four more years at the helm of the organisation.
Warner loses appeal at Privy Council and faces extradition to US to face racketeering charges
November 17 – Football’s most-wanted, former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, has lost his appeal to the UK’s Privy Council and can be extradited from Trinidad to face multiple corruption charges in the US.
FIFA launch social media monitoring programme but can they be trusted with the data?
November 17 – FIFA in collaboration with Fifpro have launched social media protection service for players at the World Cup Qatar 2022.
Germans won’t support Infantino’s re-election, calling for concrete action on human rights
November 17 – The German football federation (DFB) has said that it won’t back Gianni Infantino for re-election as FIFA president, repeating its demand that a compensation fund for migrant workers in Qatar be established.
Infantino calls for a World Cup ceasefire in Ukraine war
November 15 – Still reluctant to personally condemn the actions of Russia, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for a one-month ceasefire in Ukraine during the World Cup.