Drawing boundary lines: FIFA meet on issues of domestic leagues playing overseas
February 27 – A top-level FIFA committee is discussing whether to prevent domestic league games being played in another country.
FIFA
Uruguay’s Valdez handed year ban by FIFA Ethics
February 26 – Despite efforts to shake off its tarnished image, Conmebol has been rocked by yet more scandal after its former FIFA Council member Wilmar Valdez (pictured) was banned for one year for breaking his duty of loyalty.
Concussion sub protocol proves a headache for lawmakers
By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – Proposals to introduce concussion substitutes in English football next season seem likely to be shelved after experts failed to agree on the best approach.
South American boss Dominguez accuses Infantino of abuse of power
By Samindra Kunti
February 24 – In a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Conmebol boss Alejandro Dominguez (pictured) has expressed his “disappointment” and accused the world federation of “discrimination” and “abuse of power” by moving the FIFA Council from Paraguay back to Zurich.
Belgium extend run at top of FIFA World Rankings, Palestine move up
February 21 – In a time of little international football Belgium have remained top of the FIFA ranking. Palestine moved up the ranking following their success in January’s Bangabandhu Cup.
FIFA turn Council meet into a conference call amid fears of viruses, cost and rumours of insurrection
February 20 – In a rare example of cost cutting among its highest-ranking officials, FIFA have scrapped plans to hold next month’s two-day session in South America and have told members not to travel.
Wenger backtracks on speed of offside rule changes, but not on need to change
February 20 – Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s new head of global development, appears to have spoken out prematurely about the need to tweak the offside rule sooner rather than later in order to get rid of the farcical situation surrounding a spate of VAR decisions.
India confirms cities for U17 Women’s World Cup
February 18 – India has confirmed the host cities for the U-17 Women’s World Cup in November. Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium will host the final with Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Kolkata serving as other host cities.
FIFA joins with FIFPro to set up $16m fund as safety net for unpaid players
February 11 – In a ground-breaking move, FIFA and FIFPro – the world players’ union – have joined forces to set up a global fund to protect players’ salaries.
FIFA scrutineers arrive in Antipodes for next leg of 2023 WWC bid inspection tour
February 11 – On the eve of the FIFA delegation’s on-the-ground inspection of Australia and New Zealand’s bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Football Federation Australia boss James Johnson has expressed his confidence in the Antipodean quest to co-host the tournament.
Denmark to host May finals of FIFA eNations Cup
February 3 – FIFA’s eNations Cup 2020 will be hosted in Copenhagen by the Danish Football Association (DBU) May 22-24. It will be the first time the finals have been played in front of a live audience.
Argentine Macri takes lead role at FIFA Foundation with $1bn target
January 29 – Former Argentinean president Mauricio Macri has a landed a new job. He will head the FIFA Foundation, an organisation founded by the world federation to promote social change.
Agents furious over FIFA plans to cap commissions and threaten legal action
By Samindra Kunti
January 23 – Leading agents, including Mino Raiola, Jorge Mendes and Jonathan Barnett, have threatened FIFA with legal action over proposals to cut fees to the representatives of players and clubs involved in transfers.
Meeting of mates. Infantino in Davos chasing Trump and an American Dream
January 22 – On the first day of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial on Capitol Hill in Washington, FIFA president Gianni Infantino courted the US president thousands of miles away at a dinner during the World Economic Forum in Davos, expressing his hope that “the ‘American dream’ becomes reality…all over the world.”
‘Very happy’ Infantino kicks off new decade by joining IOC
By David Owen
January 10 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially joined world sport’s most prestigious club. The 49-year-old was one of three new International Olympic Committee (IOC) members inducted at the 135th IOC Session in Lausanne on Friday.