Mali and Guinea live in hope but bemoan luck of the draw
January 29 – The respective coaches of Mali and Guinea have criticised the drawing of lots to decide which of them progresses in the Africa Cup of Nations.
World Football
Sierra Leone government backs Johansen against rebel takeover
January 29 – The Sierra Leone government is backing the country’s present football regime against the threat of a takeover by a rebel group pushing for change.
Van Praag says he wants just one term as FIFA’s chief
By Andrew Warshaw
January 29 – FIFA presidential candidate Michael van Praag has spelled out precisely why he is challenging Sepp Blatter and has named the federations who are backing his nomination.
Barca ponder future of Qatar Airways sponsorship deal
By Mark Baber
January 28 – Barcelona president Jorep Maria Bartomeu has told Catalan media that the club is considering alternatives to their kit deal with the Qatar Foundation over the worsening “social and political situation” in the Gulf state.
Player wage crisis: FIFPro holds urgent talks to secure better terms for players
By Andrew Warshaw
January 28 – The international players’ union FIFPro is holding a crisis session of its members in Greece today and tomorrow after negotiations to overhaul the transfer system broke down.
Africans keep faith in Blatter for another term at the top
January 28 – African countries, keen to maintain the level of developments funding they receive, will remain steadfastly behind Sepp Blatter in the forthcoming FIFA presidential election campaign.
Legia launches €2m investment fund to finance new transfers
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
January 28 – Legia Warsaw has collected €2 million from a group of investors with the aim of financing new transfers in the current window. The Polish club aims to repay its investors with the profits which are to be generated once the footballers are transferred to other clubs, according to Dariusz Mioduski (pictured), the majority shareholder of Legia Warsaw.
Real Madrid in underage player probe
By Mark Baber
January 27 – The news that FIFA is in the process of gathering information and documentation regarding the signing of 51 underage players at Real Madrid has led to speculation that the club may face a transfer ban, similar to that imposed on Barcelona, as FIFA continues its effort to ensure the regulations regarding transfers of minors are firmly adhered to.
Sakho’s joy turns to anger at Facebook abuse for missing AFCON
January 27 – Senegal striker Diafra Sakho says he is “saddened” and “angered” by criticism of his absence from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Former Man Utd chief catapults into contention for FIFA exco
By Andrew Warshaw
January 27 – The rapid rise of England’s David Gill up the political footballing ladder has been given a further boost after the Englishman emerged as odds-on favourite to become the latest FIFA vice-president.
Rangers agree £10m loan but the fans will not be happy
By Paul Nicholson
January 27 – With Rangers close to running out of cash and being unable to pay wages at the end of the month, the Scottish club has agreed terms for a £10 million loan from companies owned by Mike Ashley, the shareholder a majority of fans are desperate and aggressively campaigning to keep out of the club.
UEFA quiet on Crimean, but announces tournament hosts
January 27 – UEFA have refused to confirm reports that they are brokering a separate deal for clubs playing in the controversial annexed region of Crimea.
Caribbean pro league talks look at countries and stadia, funding is next
January 26 – The steps towards a professional league in the Caribbean took another pace forward with the second meeting of the Caribbean Premier League Task Force which reviewed regional stadium infrastructure study with a view to identifying which countries could host league matches.
Dutch get tough on football violence with new law proposals
By Samindra Kunti
January 26 – The Dutch FA, the KNVB, and the Dutch parliament want to tighten the application of the ‘football law’ (Law MBVEO). The proposed amendments are aimed at further reducing violence and incidents at Dutch football grounds.
Iran fury after Asian Cup quarter-final defeat leaves a bitter taste
By Mark Baber
January 26 – The sense that the deck might be stacked against Iran in international football received a boost over the weekend as they were knocked out of the Asian Cup by Iraq, after a quarter-final match in which one of their players was sent off in a bizarre decision by the Australian referee, and which featured an Iraqi player who had produced a sample which proved positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine whilst playing for an Iranian club last year.