Ribery rant over steak stunt leaves him with a juicy Bayern fine
January 8 – Bayern Munich are to impose a “heavy fine” on former French international Franck Ribery over an obscenity-laced outburst on social media.
World Football
Nigerian FA fury at ‘mob’ rumours that Pinnick is under arrest
January 7 – Reports that Nigerian FA chief Amaju Pinnick, a strong ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has been arrested over allegations of fraud have been strongly denied by the office of the country’s President Muhammadu Buhari.
Little club, big friends. Is Basaksehir takeover of the Turkish club hierarchy a political play?
January 3 – It is little surprise that eyebrows are being raised across Europe at the progress of the Istanbul club that are currently six points clear at the top of the Turkish league.
Violent and racist Inter fans hit with stadium ban after Boxing Day mayhem vs Napoli
December 28 – The pre-match violence and racist chanting at the Inter Milan vs Napoli match at the San Siro in Milan on Boxing Day have immediately resulted in a ban on Inter fans attending the club’s next two home games.
Cameroon confusion: bumped from 2019 Afcon, Ahmad gives them 2021… for now?
December 28 – Yet another u-turn has been made by the increasingly unconvincing head of African football, Ahmad Ahmad.
Greek Super League games off as officials strike after attack leaves referee in hospital
December 21 – Greek football, which lurches from one crisis to another, is back in the doldrums with all Super League games scheduled for this weekend suspended after referees went on strike following a “cowardly attack” on one of their colleagues outside his house.
PSG bench ‘disrespectful’ Rabiot and say Barca are breaking the transfer rules
December 21 – A fresh player power dispute is making headlines in France where Paris St Germain are refusing to select midfielder Adrien Rabiot for “disrespecting” the club by refusing to sign a new contract.
End of the road? Mutko confirms he will not contest Russian FA presidency
December 20 – After weeks of conjecture about whether he is back in favour, Vitaly Mutko, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, has finally thrown in the towel at the head of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
MLS expands play-offs to 14-team format
December 20 – Major League Soccer is revamping its playoff format from next season to include more teams in the post season MLS Cup and end the season nearly a month earlier.
Infantino loses ally Chiyangwa as Kamambo takes over in Zimbabwe
By Andrew Warshaw
December 19 – Philip Chiyangwa, one of the most charismatic figures in African football and a key ally of Gianni Infantino, has been sensationally ousted as president of the Zimbabwean FA (Zifa) following elections held on Tuesday.
Chelsea in more trouble with UEFA after fans keep up their racist tirades
Chelsea are back in the headlines for the conduct of their fans with UEFA confirming it is to investigate the “alleged racist incidents” during the club’s Europa League game at MOL Vidi in Hungary.
CAF boss Ahmad backtracks on 2021 hosting saying no decision made yet
December 18 – Having stripped Cameroon of the 2019 African Cup of Nations, Confederation of African Football (CAF) boss Ahmad Ahmad has insisted no decision has yet been reached for them to stage 2021 instead and force original hosts Ivory Coast to stage the event two years later.
Egypt and South Africa in run off to host AFCON 2019
December 17 – Next year’s Africa Cup of Nations will take place in either Egypt or South Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed.
Njoya takes over Cameroon FA presidency promising reform and end to 5 years of crisis
December 17 – Cameroon has a new federation president in Seidou Mbombo Njoya who has vowed to rebuild credibility after the country was stripped of hosting rights for next year’s African Nations Cup.
CAF chaos: Ivory Coast appeal to CAS against stripping of 2021 AFCON hosting
By Andrew Warshaw
December 14 – In a hugely embarrassing snub to the leadership of African football, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has carried out its threat and has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision to strip it of hosting rights for 2021 African Cup of Nations.