Argentine suspects surrender in Buenos Aires vowing to fight extradition

Hugo and Mariano Hinkis

By Mark Baber
June 19 – Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano Jinkis, amongst the 14 current and former FIFA officials and corporate executives wanted by US prosecutors on charges of conspiracy to commit the offenses of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering, have surrendered to Argentine authorities, whilst pledging to fight extradition to the United States.

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Racist Chinese poster increases tensions with Hong Kong

Chinese poster

By Mark Baber
June 18 – A poorly conceived marketing campaign for China’s World Cup qualifiers, which included a poster saying “don’t underestimate black skin, yellow skin, white skin Hong Kong” has led to accusations of racism, an apparent apology from the Chinese FA (CFA) and a sharpening of tensions between the mainland and Hong Kong fans.

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Scottish football fans to get ‘right to buy’ their clubs

Alison Johnstone

By Mark Baber
June 18 – Amendments to the community empowerment bill, proposed by the Scottish Green party, were supported by members of the Scottish Parliament yesterday evening, opening the way for fan groups to buy their clubs if they fall into financial difficulties, and perhaps even to be granted a general “right to buy”.

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Russians go ice-cold on Capello after Euro 2106 qualification disaster

Fabio Capello3

By Paul Nicholson
June 18 – The Russians may be on target with their infrastructure build for the World Cup in 2018, but they look to be way off target with their preparation of a team for the home championship. Defeat against Austria in the Euro 2016 group qualifiers again raised doubts over whether Italian Fabio Capello is the right manager for the Russian team.

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Soosay calls it a day and quits AFC role

Alex Soosay

By Andrew Warshaw
June 18 – Within weeks of being temporarily suspended as general-secretary of the Asian Football Confederation over claims he was involved in a cover-up during an investigation into corruption allegations dating back to the era of Mohammed bin Hammam, Dato Alex Soosay has quit with immediate effect rather than stay and fight to clear his name.

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