By Paul Nicholson
November 8 – Two Bahraini footballers at the centre of the human rights abuse allegations against FIFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman have come forward saying there was “absolutely” no torture and that they have no knowledge of him being involved in action against protest marchers in 2011.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 6 – The leader of Palestinian football has accused Saudi Arabia of playing politics and pulling rank after his country was ordered to play a vital forthcoming World Cup qualifier on neutral ground instead of on home soil.
By Paul Nicholson
October 21 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has released a statement rebutting reports that it has concluded an agreement with Lagardère Sports for an eight-year extension of their broadcast and marketing contract held via their World Sport Group agency.
October 21 – Palestinian football has won a decisive battle off the field over the contentious World Cup qualifier with Saudi Arabia and will host it on November 5.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 20 – Asian football supremo Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has been given considerable encouragement by “senior” figures in the game to run for the FIFA presidency.
By Mark Baber
October 20 – Kuwait’s cabinet, hosted by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, have decided the city-state will not host the 2015 edition of the Gulf Cup, whilst describing FIFA’s decision of last week to ban the country from all international football citing government interference as “arbitrary and hasty.”
October 19 – FIFA has removed the entire executive committee of Thailand’s football association (FAT) after its controversial president Worawi Makudi was suspended pending a full ethics investigation.
October 19 – Kuwait, home to Asia’s most influential sports power broker Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, has been banned from international football because of government interference in the running of the sport domestically.
By Mark Baber
October 16 – Three current and two former Nepal national team players have been arrested in Kathmandu Valley as part of an investigation into match-fixing involving bookies in Malaysia and Singapore.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 15 – The Thai FA has given in to pressure and postponed this weekend’s presidential election after present incumbent Worawi Makudi was suspended by FIFA’s ethics committee.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 14 – Suspended former powerbroker Worawi Makudi looks set to defy FIFA’s ethics committee by contesting Thailand’s forthcoming FA presidential election in what would be a flagrant violation of the rules.
By Samindra Kunti
October 13 – After 38 years Brazilian football legend Pelé has returned to Kolkata to promote football in India. He will be the guest of honor at the Indian Super League match between Atletico de Kolkata’s and Kerala Blasters, and at the Subroto Cup Final in New Delhi.
By Mark Baber
October 5 – Following the murders of an Italian aid worker and a Japanese tourist, which have both been claimed by the Islamic State (IS), Australia’s Football Federation (FFA) has expressed its concern over the security situation in Bangladesh, ahead of a scheduled World Cup qualifier on November 17.
By Mark Baber
October 2 – Under pressure from FIFA to end government interference in appointment of its officials, the Singapore FA (FAS) has delayed the appointment of new council members, promising to put a new election process in place by March 2016.
By Andrew Warshaw
September 30 – Palestinian football authorities have stepped up their campaign to overturn an order by FIFA to play a crucial World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia on neutral ground.