Belgrade derby erupts again and Partizan and Red Star fans continue where they left off
January 2 – One of the fiercest rivalries in European club football, dubbed the “eternal derby”, has made headlines once again for all the wrong reasons.
World Football
Weah hits the mark with Liberian youth to win vote for country’s presidency
December 28 – It isn’t every day that a former World Football Player of the Year becomes president of his country but Liberia’s George Weah has made that remarkable transition after the second round of voting in a sometimes acrimonious election campaign saw him defeat 73-year-old Joseph Boakai who has been vice president for the last 12 years.
FIFA orders Sierra Leone to reform and rules Johansen dismissal invalid
December 27 – The bitter in-fighting over who runs Sierra Leone football has taken another twist with FIFA’s Members Association Committee giving under-fire Sierra Leone FA (SLFA) president Isha Johansen a boost by ordering a series of reforms.
Somalia’s Stadium Mogadishu set to return to football after 30 years of armed conflict
December 27 – Somalia took a step nearer to regaining control of their national stadium in Mogadishu after Somali Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Kheyre, confirmed that African Union peace keeping troops stationed at Stadium Mogadishu would withdra from the stadium by 2018.
MLS tunes up with Nashville as its latest franchise award
December 27 – Major League Soccer’s latest expansion team franchise has been awarded to an investment group from Nashville, Tennessee. Their team will being MLS play in 2020.
Dortmund bus bomber charged with 28 counts of attempted murder
December 22 – A German-Russian of dual nationality suspected of trying to blow up the Borussia Dortmund team by detonating three bombs appeared in court on Thursday charged with 28 counts of attempted murder.
Ban halved but Peru’s Guerrero vows to fight on to prove innocence
December 22 – Peru captain Paolo Guerrero says he is innocent and will fight to clear his name despite FIFA reducing his doping ban to six months, allowing him to play at next year’s World Cup.
Ahmad warns Cameroon to get 2019 hosting palns in order
December 21 – The president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Ahmad Ahmad, has reiterated his warning to Cameroon about their ability to host the first expanded 24-team Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.
Exclusive: FIFA probes Liberian corruption finding fake docs, forged signatures and a battling Bility
By Paul Nicholson
December 21 – After months of damning stories and rumours surrounding financial corruption in the Liberian FA and its controversial president Musa Bility, the investigatory chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee has stepped in to investigate. Early reports are that their findings are explosive.
Peru’s Guerrero packs bag for Russia 2018 after drugs ban cut in half
December 21 – Peru captain Paolo Guerrero has had his one-year suspension for failing a drugs test halved to six months, making him eligible to lead out his team at the World Cup next summer – the nation’s first appearance in the finals for 36 years.
Two Kosovans plead guilty to planned terrorist attack on Isreali team in Albania
December 21 – Two Kosovo nationals have pleaded guilty to planning attacks at a World Cup game in Albania against Israel last year that was moved to a different part of the country because of terrorist threats.
FIFA send in troubleshooters to run Malian FA
December 21 – FIFA has appointed a normalisation committee to run the affairs of the troubled Malian Football Association (Femafoot).
Romario sets sights on goal of Brazilian FA presidency
December 20 – Brazilian 1994 World Cup winner Romario is planning to run for president of the scandal-plagued Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) now that Marco Polo del Nero has been suspended by FIFA.
Morgan and Navas take CONCACAF’s top awards, CAF call for Mane and Salah
By Mark Baber
December 19 – ‘Tis the season to be merry, for gifts, family and, naturally, Player of the Year awards. Sunday saw the CONCACAF Premios Univision Deportes awards ceremony in Miami whilst the Confederation of African football has announced the nominees for its 2017 awards.
Anti-semitic banners and Hitler image at Sudanese club match sparks global condemnation
December 18 – Sudan’s leading club has been reprimanded after supporters taunted rival fans by erecting banners displaying an image of Adolf Hitler during a bitter championship decider.