Sexwale says old friends will not influence his new FIFA, if elected
December 17 – FIFA presidency candidate Tokyo Sexwale says he won’t let previous loyalties stand in his way if he wins the vote on February 26 next year.
News
Palestine/Israel talks continue to ‘seek solutions’ at Jericho meet
December 17 – The FIFA panel trying to bring about free movement of Palestinian players and equipment in the West Bank held its second session this week under the chairmanship of Tokyo Sexwale.
Dutch hit Twente with Euro ban and fine over TPO and Doyen’s dirty dealing
By Andrew Warshaw
December 17 – In the starkest example yet of the European crackdown on Third Party Ownership of players, Dutch top-flight club FC Twente have been banned from European competition for three years by their own federation.
Man Utd builds in India with roadshow dates in Bangalore and Mumbai
December 17 – Manchester United have continued their live event format in India with the addition of two new event days in Bangalore and Mumbai.
Blatter back at FIFA House to make his case before Ethics supremos
By Andrew Warshaw
December 17 – After protesting his innocence, Sepp Blatter was returning to the building where he has reigned for almost 18 years this morning to make a last-ditch defiant stand to save his battered reputation.
Somalia switches on to first live broadcast match
By Paul Nicholson
December 17 – Somalia makes a small but significant piece of national football history today with the first live football broadcast of a match played in the country.
Jordan blaze trail for women’s game in Middle East with U17 World Cup
December 16 – Organisers in Jordan want next year’s under-17 women’s World Cup to “send a message that will hopefully ripple across the region” in terms of promoting gender equality.
Copa America Centenario to play final at MetLife Stadium
December 16 – Organisers of the 2016 Copa America Centenario have announced that the final will be played at the 82,000 capacity MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Platini refuses to play and will boycott FIFA’s ‘kangaroo court’
By Andrew Warshaw
December 16 – UEFA president Michel Platini has confirmed he is boycotting Friday’s FIFA ethics committee hearing which will determine whether he is banned from football and has to relinquish his bid for the FIFA presidency.
West Ham, Leicester and Norwich top attendance ranking, Villa slump again
December 16 – Pre-Christmas Premier League attendances are holding up well with eight of last weekend’s home clubs reporting over 90% capacity and three of them over 99%. But of 20,795 unfilled seats in round 16 out of a total of 361,222 available, 14,514 were at Aston Villa and Sunderland.
Sports Media Pearl Awards honour new writers and new football frontiers
By Samindra Kunti
December 16 – Football writers Anaman Fiifi from Ghana and Mihir Vasavda from India were both recognized for their outstanding journalism at the inaugural Sport Media Pearl Awards in Abu Dhabi. They represent a bright future for football journalism coming from football markets not always noted for their leading media coverage.
Dentsu’s Team Twelve wins China League One data contract
By Mark Baber
December 16 – The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has announced that China League One, the second tier professional soccer league in China, has agreed a partnership deal with South Korean based Team Twelve Inc, a part of the Dentsu Sports Network.
India builds Brazilian links as Zico’s Goa beat Roberto Carlos’ Delhi
By Samindra Kunti
December 16 – Yesterday FC Goa cruised to a 3-1 aggregate victory against Delhi Dynamos to reach the final of the Indian Super League in a battle between Brazilian coaches Zico and Roberto Carlos.
Napout and Callejas plead not guilty, Leoz and Li next for Brooklyn court
By Andrew Warshaw
December 16 – Suspended former FIFA vice-president Juan Angel Napout (pictured) and one-time Honduras President Rafael Callejas have both pleaded not guilty in a Brooklyn court to bribery charges as part of the US probe into widespread football corruption.
FIFpro’s Piat says TPO must be outlawed and players paid
By Andrew Warshaw
December 16 – The French president of the international players union FIFpro says the current transfer system encourages third party ownership which he has described as “a monster”.