News Archives - Page 964 of 1747 - Inside World Football

Going to war on the Russian front: Smertin puts discrimination top of the agenda

By Paul Nicholson

May 10 – Issues of racism and discrimination have been thrust into the spotlight again with the Sulley Muntari case sadly showing that football has a lot more work to do on the issue. FIFA’s response has been depressingly ambivalent; of the “it’s not nice but what do you expect us to do” variety. So what about Russia, the World Cup and the widely documented issues facing that country as it prepares to welcome the world in 2018.

FIFA

FIFA reform process in tatters after elimination of FIFA’s Ethics chiefs

By Andrew Warshaw in Manama, Bahrain

May 10 – FIFA’s entire governance apparatus – or lack of it – has come crashing down after the two men mainly responsible for cleaning up the organisation were ousted from their positions today in what will be regarded by many as the ultimate purge orchestrated by Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

Concacaf

North American alliance confident of a transparent and clean 2026 World Cup bid process

By Andrew Warshaw in Manama, Bahrain

July 10 – Organisers of the three-country north American 2026 World Cup bid insist the bid will be clean and not be faced with any allegations of wrongdoing.

FIFA

US, Mexico and Canada lose bid to fast track 2026 World Cup decision

world cup

By Andrew Warshaw in Manama, Bahrain

May 10 – FIFA have decided to leave open the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup until August, rejecting an attempt by the United States, Canada and Mexico to fast-track their plans.

FIFA

Last ditch Israeli-Palestine mediation draws blank with stage now set for Congress battle

Israel vs Palestine flags

By Andrew Warshaw, Manama, Bahrain

May 9 – Last-ditch talks aimed at resolving football’s Israeli-Palestinian impasse broke up amid bitterness and acrimony today, a crushing blow for FIFA and its chief Middle East negotiator Tokyo Sexwale, at the end of his mandate.

FIFA

Racism? What racism? FIFA bosses prevaricate over Muntari position

By Andrew Warshaw in Manama, Bahrain

May 9 – FIFA’s two top officials waded into the Sulley Muntari racism affair today expressing their solidarity with the player but stopping short of a strong condemnation of the under-fire Italian authorities for their initially insensitive approach.

FIFA

Israel-Palestine dispute heats up in Bahrain as battle lines become entrenched

By Paul Nicholson in Manama, Bahrain

May 8 – The heat on the Palestine-Israel dispute was turned up a notch today prior to FIFA’s Congress on Thursday with Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa telling the AFC Congress in his opening remarks that the AFC stood united with Palestine and urged “FIFA to come up with the best solution as soon as possible”.

Football Marketing

Arsenal find new lease of life as Liverpool jump above Chelsea

May 9 – Arsenal surged closer to matching Manchester United’s weekly Twitter growth this week with 52,000 new followers compared to Manchester United’s 59,500 – a timely gain matched with a rare win against them in the league. Just as Man Utd’s players are fatiguing after a long season, is the phenomenal growth rate on Twitter doing the same?

Concacaf

Canada launches new pro-league but its top sides will stay in the MLS

By Samindra Kunti

May 9 – Canada’s Soccer Association has sanctioned the establishment of a Canadian Premier League, allowing the country to operate its own professional league. At the top of the Canadian football administration pyramid Steve Reed will succeed CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani as the Canadian president.

Africa

Abu Rida calls African presidents to Cairo for celebration, lobbying and a private jet ride

By Paul Nicholson in Manama, Bahrain

May 7 – Hany Abu Rida, the Egyptian FA president who is standing for election to the FIFA Council, arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for the FIFA Congress from Cairo this afternoon (Sunday May 7) on a private jet accompanied by more than 30 of his African federation colleagues.

Africa

Zul gets all-clear to stand in an African election that has been rigged from the start

By Paul Nicholson in Manama, Bahrain

May 7 – The odds – as well as CAF and FIFA – were stacked against him, with few even expecting him to make it to the start line for the African election of its last FIFA Council member. It has been a political process that makes the not-so-long-ago days of Issa Hayatou’s reign as president of the confederation start to look like a model for transparency and equality.

FIFA

Brazil take 6th Beach Soccer world title as Tahiti’s hopes are crushed

By Samindra Kunti

May 8 – Brazil were crowned Beach Soccer World Cup champions for a record fifth time after a 6-0 victory over Tahiti in the final in Nassau, Bahamas. Tahiti finish runners-up for second consecutive time.

Football Marketing

Qatar Airways flys to rescue of FIFA’s ailing sponsorship programme with 2022 deal

May 7 – On the eve of the week of their Congress in Bahrain FIFA have signed a new airline sponsor. Qatar Airways becomes Official Partner and the Official Airline of FIFA in a sponsorship deal that will take through to 2022 when their home country hosts the World Cup.

FIFA

Argentina sweet-talk FIFA out of Messi ban, clearing him for crucial World Cup qualifiers

May 8 – Lionel Messi is free to represent Argentina in their World Cup qualifiers after his four-match international ban was controversially overturned following an appeal by his federation.

Europe

Italians bow to pressure and ‘de-criminalise’ Muntari with dropping of ban

May 7 – Sulley Muntari has had his controversial one-match ban for protesting against racist abuse overturned by Italy’s football authorities but says he was “treated like a criminal” for complaining.