AFC-FIFA safeguarding webinar pilots roll-out to other MAs
November 27 – The AFC-FIFA Safeguarding Orientation Webinar saw more than 100 participants from 46 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations participate this week.
FIFA
FIFA confirms Arab Cup as Qatar 2022 warm-up event
November 25 – FIFA has confirmed that the Arab Cup tournament, announced in June, will act as the official warm-up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Arab Cup will be played in December next year, featuring 22 nations from Africa and Asia.
Liverpool and Olympique Lyonnais stars dominate FIFA’s Best award nominations
November 25 – FIFA has revealed the candidates shortlisted for seven of the individual trophies that will be presented at its Best Football Awards ceremony on December 17. Two expert panels – one for men and one for women’s football, have selected the candidates for each category.
FIFA, WHO, EC and European Parliament Sports Group renew #SafeHome campaign
November 25 – On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, FIFA has joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission and the European Parliament Sports Group to raise awareness of domestic violence.
IFAB backs concussion subs but still seeks clarity on handball and offside
November 24 – Two expert panels that advise football’s lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), have backed the idea of additional concussion substitutes plus a clarification of the handball law which has caused such angst throughout the season.
FIFA opens door for return of noisy Trinidad and Tobago to world football
By Paul Nicholson
November 20 – FIFA has lifted the suspension of the Trinidad and Tobago FA (TTFA) and re-instated its three-person Normalisation Committee to run the local association.
FIFA bans Jean-Bart for decades of sexual abuse, despite Haitian court ruling
November 20 – The boss of Haitian football, Yves Jean-Bart, was banned from the sport for life today following multiple accusations of systematic sexual abuse of female players.
South Africa’s Motsepe rumoured to have Infantino’s backing for CAF leadership
November 20 – Patrice Motsepe (pictured) the only English mother tongue candidate for the most powerful position in African football, is reportedly being backed by Gianni Infantino in what would be a major coup for the South African billionaire businessman.
FIFA boost for female players with game changing maternity protection laws
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – In a ground-breaking initiative that will be widely welcomed throughout the game, FIFA is to introduce radical new regulations covering maternity leave for female players – and could impose fines and transfer bans on clubs not meeting the new standards.
FIFA clings on to Club World Cup but pushes back to February 2021 in Qatar
November 18 – FIFA has moved its delayed Club World Cup (CWC) from December to February because of the effects Covid-19 with Qatar remaining as hosts whilst the women’s U20 and U17 World Cups in Costa Rica and India respectively will now be held in 2022 having already been rescheduled once.
Clarke pushed out of FIFA Council seat as English face marginalisation
By Andrew Warshaw
November 12 – Former English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke, who resigned on Monday, has bowed to the inevitable and also relinquished his positions as a FIFA vice-president and a FIFA Council member in what was an apparent u-turn.
FIFA takes a first step in crackdown on ‘abusive’ agents commissions
November 6 – Fans will be able to see exactly how much agents earn from transfer deals when a raft of new FIFA regulations come into force next year.
Complaint filed at IOC calls for Infantino’s suspension
November 3 – Gianni Infantino, already being investigated by the Swiss authorities who have opened criminal proceedings against him, has been caught up in yet another saga which could potentially further undermine his credibility.
FIFA takes club execs back to school with new Diploma in Club Management
November 3 – FIFA has launched its own Diploma in Club Management to provide club executives “with the latest practical know-how and insights from leading football industry experts”.
Al-Khelaifi and Valcke cleared of bribery, but former FIFA boss’ forgery charge sticks
By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – After a high-profile 10-day trial that gripped world football politics amid persistent conjecture, Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was acquitted today of aggravated criminal mismanagement regarding the allocation of World Cup TV rights.