Bolivia to face audit as CONMEBOL braces for ‘absolute change’
August 27 – CONMEBOL and FIFA are to jointly audit the finances of the Bolivian Football Federation, whose leader was jailed for alleged corruption.
South America
Globo leaves Brazilian TV rights door open and in comes a hungry Fox
By Samindra Kunti
August 21 – In 2015 Brazilian broadcasting behemoth TV Globo invested about €335 million in football and TV-rights, but its vice-like grip over football in the country is for the first time being seriously challenged by competitors, with Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Sports at the forefront.
In Brazil it is transfer business as usual, despite TPO ban
By Samindra Kunti
August 18 – In December the FIFA’s Executive Committee’s approval to ban third-party ownership of player’s economic rights (TPO) sent shockwaves through Brazilian football due to the prevalence of third-party arrangements. The early effective date, January 2015, had investors and clubs taken aback, worried with the possible consequences of the new rule, but what effect has the ban had so far on the Brazilian market?
Romario and the €2m Swiss account that never was
By Ricardo Setyon
August 12 – In Brazil former footballers becoming politicians is not unusual – Bebeto, Vampeta, Tulio, Roberto Dinamite, and even Zico and Pelé had their time as members of governments – but none have reached the heights of Romário, one of the best goalscorers the country has ever produced.
CAS orders Paraguay’s Olimpia to pay Ariosa ‘moral damages’
August 12 – A Paraguayan club has been ordered to pay compensation to a footballer whose contract was suspended while he was being treated for cancer, according to world players’ union FIFPro.
Hawilla and Teixeira at war as lid lifts further on South America’s murky world
By Ricardo Setyon
August 7 – They were best of friends but they have become the worst of enemies. Known in Brazil as ‘O Gordo e o Magro’, (the fat and the slim), former FIFA vice president and CBF chief Ricardo Teixeira (pictured left), and Traffic principal José Hawilla (right) have fallen out, and spectacularly so.
Brazilian proposes a 7-1 ‘Goal to Germany’ pain day
August 5 – A Brazilian council official is proposing creating a ‘Goal to Germany’ day every July to make the national team remember their humiliating 7-1 World Cup defeat last year.
President Dilma may veto new Brazilian club debt proposals
By Samindra Kunti
August 5 – Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff (pictured) may veto medida provisoria 671 that will allow for the refinancing of Brazilians clubs’s debts, but implements new rules for better management and more transparency.
Ronaldinho debuts with on-pitch assist and a big marketing boost
By Samindra Kunti
August 3 – Ronaldinho Gaucho marked his winning return to Brazilian football at the weekend with an assist against Gremio. He has a contract with Fluminense until December 2016, but did the Rio club just sign him for marketing reasons?
Paraguay to put Platini forward for FIFA presidency
By Andrew Warshaw
August 3 – Paraguay has offered to be one of the five official nominees for UEFA boss Michel Platini’s bid for the FIFA presidency, the country’s federation said in a letter sent to FIFA.
CONMEBOL passes reform measures to clean-up South American deal-making
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – As FIFA prepares to put in place a raft of reforms designed to clean up the organisation in the post-Sepp Blatter era, the South American Confederation (CONMEBOL) has struck first by introducing almost identical measures.
Mexican counter-punch knocks Herrera out of coaching job
July 28 – Managers normally get fired for being knocked out of tournaments early but within a few of days of winning the Gold Cup, Miguel Herrera has been sacked as national coach of Mexico for punching a journalist.
Who really owns Neymar? Now DIS claim they have been ‘cheated’
By Ricardo Setyon
July 21 – The on-going saga of Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona and who actually ‘owns’ Neymar has taken another twist with one of the third party owners, an investment group from Brazil, claiming they have been cheated by Neymar’s father and Barcelona.
Russia 2018 without Brazil? CBF to form ‘think-tank’ to put team right
By Ricardo Setyon
July 17 – Brazil’s failure and early exit from the Copa America has prompted even more soul searching in-country, with commentators fearing that on current performance the team will not qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. A real possibility as their quarter final exit in Chile would not rank them in the qualifying slots.
CBF hooked on 30-year drug sponsorship deal
By Samindra Kunti
July 17 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has signed a 30-year sponsorship deal with Ultrafarma, a pharmaceutical service provider with a large network of drugstores.