FA cashes out of gaming sponsorship ending Ladbrokes deal after just one season
By Mark Baber
June 23 – After a three month review, the FA is to end all sponsorship with betting companies starting from the end of the 2016-17 season.
Integrity
Newtown caught in old-school politics as Johnson seeks to retain St Kitts presidency
By Paul Nicholson
June 22 – A storm is brewing in the Caribbean between the St.Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) and its member clubs. Elections take place later this month with president Anthony Johnson standing for re-election.
Rojas says there is no investigation into Infantino but African questions still linger
By Paul Nicholson
June 21 – FIFA has issued a statement denying that its ethics committee has any investigation proceedings opened against its president Gianni Infantino, though the statement does not mention whether general secretary Fatma Samoura is under investigation.
Modric facing perjury probe and prison after allegedly lying to Croatian court over transfer
By Mark Baber
June 21 – Real Madrid star Luka Modric is to be investigated for perjury by Croatian authorities, after giving testimony at the corruption trial of his former manager Zdravko Mamic. If found guilty of lying under oath about when he signed a crucial contract annex, the ex-Spurs and Dinamo Zagreb player could face between six months and five years in prison.
Mourinho caught in the smoke and mirrors of €3.3m image rights tax fraud claim
June 21 – Spanish prosecutors have kept up their pressure on football’s alleged tax avoiders with Manchester United manager José Mourinho being the latest to be dragged before the courts. Mourinho has denied tax fraud of €3.3 million relating to his time at Real Madrid.
Sheikh Ahmad’s ANOC pleads for sport to be kept separate from politics over Qatar
By David Owen
June 19 – An organisation headed by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti sports power-broker, has sought to intervene in the diplomatic crisis surrounding 2022 World Cup host Qatar, with a plea for sport to be kept separate from politics.
US confirms Del Nero still under investigation as FBI digs deeper into South American leads
June 18 – The US Justice Department has confirmed that Brazilian football federation (CBF) president Marco Polo Del Nero is still under investigation for bribery in 2014, but Del Nero has not yet been formally charged.
Julius Baer banker pleads guilty in US to facilitating $25m in bribes, FBI promises more to come
By Mark Baber
June 16 – Jorge Luis Arzuaga (pictured), an Argentine national and former managing director at Swiss bankers Julius Baer, pled guilty to money laundering conspiracy in the Brooklyn federal court on Thursday, admitting to arranging transfers of over $25 million in bribes and kickbacks from 2010 to 2015.
Save the Dream and iCoachKids partner to boost educational training base
June 16 – Save the Dream and iCoachKids are partnering with the Qatari-based Save the Dream helping produce coaching educational materials on topics such as intercultural dialogue, gender, child protection and integrity for iCoachKids projects.
Rabbatts stands down from FA board calling for ‘tangible action’ on ethnic inclusivity
By Mark Baber
June 15 – Heather Rabbatts, the FA’s first female non-executive Director and Board member, announced that she is stepping down after over five years at The Football Association.
Czech corruption scandal forces Grambinus to pull league title sponsorship
June 14 – Long time Czech league sponsor Grambinus is to pull out of its deals with the Czech football Association (FAČR), including its title sponsorship of the country’s top league, saying that the corruption scandals that have hit the presidency of the federation are now impacting on their brand image.
Roberto Carlos denies doping allegations as film unmasks Brazilian drug culture
By Samindra Kunti
June 12 – German broadcaster ARD has aired a documentary revealing possible connections between a doping doctor and Brazilian elite football. Former star Roberto Carlos, who is among those accused, has denied all allegations.
Man City accused again of poaching youth players. Velez take Garre complaint to CAS
June 1 – Manchester City could become the latest club to be hit with a transfer ban when the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) rules on July 3 over City’s signing of teenager Benjamin Garre from Argentine side Velez Sarsfield.
Atletico Madrid fury over transfer ban that could kill Greizmann talks with Man Utd
By Andrew Warshaw
June 1 – Atletico Madrid have reacted furiously after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) threw out their last-ditch appeal against a transfer ban imposed by FIFA for signing non-Spanish players under the age of 18, saying the verdict will cause “irreparable damage”.
Judge denies Rosell bail as money laundering probe deepens and Teixeira collusion unmasked
May 26 – Once one of the most influential figures in European football, playing a prominent role in the European Club Association and representing the body on various UEFA and FIFA committees, Sandro Rosell faces a grim future after a Spanish judge ordered prison without bail for the former Barcelona boss.