Tanzania sets new date for elections after FIFA step in
By Mark Baber
May 13 – The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has re-set the date for elections to September 29 and will allow all candidates to stand following intervention by FIFA.
Africa
Ugandan government disbands rival leagues in favour of new Premier League
By Mark Baber
May 10 – The Ugandan Cabinet on Wednesday resolved to step into the dispute between the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) and the Uganda Super League Ltd (USLL) and disband the two national leagues (FSL and USL) in favour of a new Uganda Premier League (UPL) which will kick off at the start of the 2013/14 season.
Kenyan crisis as federation appeals for funds to fulfil fixtures
By Mark Baber
May 10 – Football Kenya Federation has made an appeal for at least 200 million shillings to support the Harambee Stars and enable them to fulfil this year’s fixtures, including world cup qualifiers.
Malawi Flames cleared by FIFA to switch qualifiers to the ‘slaughter-house’
By Mark Baber
May 1 – FIFA have given clearance to Malawi to play their two upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers, against Namibia and Kenya, at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, following an inspection by Adnan El Guindy on April 21.
Cash-strapped Egyptians seek $17m+ for TV rights
By Mark Baber
April 22 – The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) aims to raise at least $17.3m by auctioning off the premier league’s television broadcast rights for the next three years.
Nigerian cash crisis forces withdrawal African Nations Championship qualifiers
By Mark Baber
April 12 – Current Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria have announced they are to withdraw their national team from the 2014 African Nations Championship qualifiers due to the poor state of its finances.
Libya plans to build new stadia for AFCON 2017
By Mark Baber
April 11 – Libya’s minister for Youths and Sports, Abdussalam Guaila has confirmed that Libya is planning to build a 60,000 capacity stadium in Tajoura, Tripoli and a 23,000 seater in Misrata for the 2017 African Cup of Nations.
FIFA warns Cameroon of government influence in football
April 9 – Cameroon are the latest country to fall foul of FIFA’s strict rules on government interference in football.
Zimbabwe match-fixing saga nears end of appeals process, further bans expected
By Mark Baber
April 8 – This Wednesday the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) special appeals committee is expected to make its final determinations in the “Asiagate” match-fixing scandal.
Cairo club fined for having fans in stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
April 5 – Leading Egyptian club Zamalek have been fined for allowing fans into their stadium to watch a league game, defying security orders that all matches be played in empty stadiums, a stipulation put in place in order for football to resume following last year’s Port Said disaster.
FIFA caution South Africans about government interference in football
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – FIFA have written to the South African government warning them against a judicial inquiry into the country’s recent match-fixing scandal, insisting the matter must be handled by the football authorities. Government interference in football, typically frequent in Africa and Asia, is banned by FIFA who have not been afraid to issue to warnings and sanctions.
Nigerian Senate demands a radical restructuring of country’s football
By Mark Baber
March 28 – In the football equivalent of the ‘church and state’ governance debates, the Nigerian Senate has demanded an overhaul of football in the country – despite the Super Eagles winning the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year – but is wary of becoming too involved in running the game.
Nigeria FA moves against ambush marketers piggy-backing Super Eagles brand
By Mark Baber
March 25 – The Nigeria Football Federation has issued another condemnation of ambush marketing, claiming it is violating the rights of its main official sponsors who include Diageo-owned Guinness, Adidas, Globacom Communications (which also sponsors Manchester United), Cadbury and Samsung.
Campaigners call for FIFA to show the red card to homophobia
By Mark Baber
March 18 – The revelation that the head of the Nigeria Women Professional League (NPWL) has been actively discriminating against suspected lesbian footballers has unleashed a storm of protest including a petition to FIFA which has so far gathered nearly 50,000 signatures.
Fresh FIFA warning to Tanzania over government interference
March 13 – Tanzania has again been warned by FIFA that it will be suspended if the government interferes in the administration of the sport.