Argentina’s new top brass head for Zurich in bid to get Messi ban halved
April 18 – Lionel Messi could have his four-match international suspension halved at an appeal hearing next month, according to Argentina reports.
South America
Six World Cup stadia become part of corruption probe into Brazilian construction scandal
By Samindra Kunti
April 14 – Six out of Brazil’s 12 World Cup stadiums were constructed amid financial irregularities, according to documents from construction giant Odebrecht as Brazil’s large corruption scandal Lava Jato (operation car wash) deepens further.
Internacional to play in Serie B after CAS refuses to judge on claims against Vitoria
By Samindra Kunti
April 7 – The Court of Arbitration CAS has dismissed an appeal lodged by Brazil’s Internacional over Vitoria Da Bahia’s problems with the player’s registration of Victor Ramos. The decision confirms Internacional’s relegation to Brazil’s Serie B.
AFA backs Bauza as world’s top ranked nation teeters on brink of Russia 2018 qualification
By Samindra Kunti
April 7 – The Argentine FA (AFA) has given its under-fire coach Edgardo Bauza a vote of confidence in spite of Argentina’s precarious World Cup qualifying position.
Tapia takes Argentina FA top job: first issues are Messi and Russia 2018 qualification
March 30 – After a leaderless period of turmoil, Argentine football now has a new president after Claudio Tapia was elected unopposed and made reducing Lionel Messi’s four-match ban his first priority.
From dark to light. Brazil close in on Russia 2018, but Argentina have work to do
By Samindra Kunti
March 23 – South American giants Brazil and Uruguay face different obstacles in their crunch World Cup qualifiers as they seek to qualify for the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Maradona tantrum referred upward as he tells Infantino he’s quitting
March 23 – Diego Maradona has reportedly threatened to resign as a FIFA global ambassador unless an Argentine rival is removed from his post in the national federation.
Brasileirão Feminino kicks off with new two-tier format but old issues of money
By Samindra Kunti
March 14 – This weekend the Brazilian women’s league kicked off in an expanded format, despite financial constraints and a talent drain that has cast a shadow over the 2017 season with many of the top players signed for foreign clubs.
Player strike is latest block to resumption of Argentine league
By Samindra Kunti
March 6 – This weekend’s matches in Argentina’s top three divisions were all postponed following a players’s strike over salaries. With professional football on hold, the institutional crisis in Argentinean football is deepening.
Argentinian chaos is a tale of corruption and FIFA presidential intrigue
By Paul Nicholson
March 2 – Argentinian football is in a mess and it doesn’t look to be clearing up despite the efforts of a FIFA normalisation committee parachuted in last July to take over the running of the federation and attempt to bring order to the chaos.
Brazil league ban on clubs playing out of state hits World Cup stadia legacy
By Samindra Kunti
March 1 – The Brazilian FA (CBF) has prohibited domestic clubs from playing top flight and division one games outside their state of origin. The ruling will have a dramatic impact on the struggling World Cup stadiums in Manuas, Natal, Cuiaba and Brasilia that have been battling to maintain operations.
Brazil state championships prove to be the drag on progress of club game
By Samindra Kunti
February 28 – This weekend Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo and Fluminense will dispute the final of the Taça Guanabara. It is but a footnote in the drawn-out and archaic state championships, which are increasingly holding back Brazilian football.
Maracana thrown a lifeline but is it too little too late for the world’s most iconic stadium?
By Samindra Kunti
February 24 – The Maracana stadium will reopen in March with Rio club Flamengo hosting a Copa Libertadores match, but the future of the venue remains in doubt as bidders appear to be getting cold feet over taking on the management challenge of the iconic stadium.
Brazil’s Rio 2016 alchemist Micale falls from favour over U20 failure
February 16 – The CBF, the Brazilian Football Confederation, and coach Rogerio Micale are poised to part ways following Brazil’s failure to qualify for the U20 World Cup in South Korea. Micale coached the Brazilians to the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Brazil miss out on U20 World Cup as seniors head for Aussie for Argentina fixture
By Samindra Kunti
February 13 – For the second time in three competitions, Brazil have failed to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup to be played in Korea later this year. Meanwhile, the senior team have announced a friendly against Argentina in Melbourne in June.