WTF? Puta, no problem, says CAS over Mexican chants
November 17 – FIFA has been adjudged to have wrongly viewed chanting by Mexican fans towards opposition goalkeepers at World Cup qualifiers as homophobic.
Integrity
Going for the jugular: Burzaco details money and meetings in FIFA bribery case
By Paul Nicholson
November 16 – The second day of testimony by Alejandro Burzaco in the FIFA bribery case brought more drama to the Brooklyn court after one of the defendants, Peruvian Manuel Burga, was accused of twice making slashing motions across his throat towards Burzaco.
Burzaco lifts lid on TV rights bribery and drags Fox and Qatar into the spotlight
By Paul Nicholson
November 15 – The depth of the corruption around the sale of TV rights that has plagued South and North America and shattered the reputations of football officials worldwide, was unmasked in the federal court in Brooklyn yesterday. For the first time major broadcast networks Fox Sports (USA), and Televisa (Mexico) were dragged into the narrative alongside Brazil’s TV Globo, all of whom were accused of paying bribes for rights.
Chung waits for CAS verdict on his appeal against 5-year ban
November 15 – Former FIFA vice president Chung Mong-joon has testified at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to challenge his five-year ban for failing to cooperate with ethics investigators.
Social media alerts SAFA to open investigation into match-fixing in women’s league
November 15 – South African football officials, plagued over the years by match-fixing scandals, insist they will speedily investigate the latest claims – this time in a regional game of the country’s premier women’s league, Sasol.
Grandstand openings in corruption trial of Marin, Napout and Burga
By Paul Nicholson
November 14 – With jury selection complete, the trial of three South American former football administrators began in earnest with opening statements on Monday in the Brooklyn Federal court.
Football DataCo revamps bet monitoring with Genius and Perform partnership
November 14 – Football DataCo, the official data rights holder of English and Scottish football, has moved to increase its integrity provision via a combined deal with Genius Sports and Perform Group.
Leicester’s owners sued for £323m owed in Thailand by King Power duty free business
November 13 – The Thai owners of surprise 2016 English Premier League champions Leicester City are reportedly being sued for £323 million over money owed to their government.
Solo accuses Blatter of sexual harassment saying it is rampant in women’s game
November 13 – The sexual harassment scandal pervading public life has spilled over into football with Hope Solo, the best-known goalkeeper in the women’s game, making accusations against none other than former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
FIFA’s cartel culture ‘is foreign to the rule of law’, says Maduro
By Andrew Warshaw
November 9 – The Portuguese official ousted by FIFA as its chief governance and electoral watchdog has blasted the organisation’s approach to political neutrality under Gianni Infantino as “shocking” and says there is no chance of reform from within because of its closed-shop mentality.
Exclusive: Marinakis opts to step down at Olympiacos but confident match-fixing charges will be dismissed
By Paul Nicholson
November 8 – Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis is to stand down as chairman of the club while the judicial proceedings regarding the match-fixing allegations against him are completed.
Marinakis cleared of criminal charges but match-fixing allegations still lurk for 28
November 8 – The long running judicial investigation into Greek football has partially been resolved with the Judicial Council of dropping four criminal charges against Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Jury selection begins in NY in trial of Marin, Napout and Burga
By Paul Nicholson
November 7 – Jury selection began yesterday in the trial of three South American football officials arrested as part of the FIFA corruption scandal charged with racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy.
No more Cosmos? NASL under threat after losing case against USSF to keep D2 status
By Paul Nicholson
November 6 – The North American Soccer League (NASL) has lost its court bid to retain its Division II status, putting the future of the league in doubt. The NASL has said it will appeal the decision.
Mourinho settles Spanish €3.3m tax case
November 3 – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho reached a settlement with Spanish tax authorities today before telling reporters the case was closed.