Toure puts Russia 2018 on frontline of war on racism
October 16 – Former Ivory Coast star Yaya Toure says next year’s World Cup in Russia could be a watershed in FIFA’s efforts to stamp out racism.
Integrity
Swiss feds probe beIN Sport and Valcke over World Cup TV rights deals
By Andrew Warshaw
October 13 – In a stunning twist to their anti-corruption football probe, Swiss federal prosecutors have opened a criminal case against the Qatari boss of Paris St Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, for suspected bribery linked to World Cup broadcasting rights.
Chinese parachute in top Euro refs to close out CSL season
October 13 – Chinese football authorities have named the “high-level” European and American referees for the four remaining weeks of the Chinese Super League season in a move to boost the standard of officiating.
Valcke defends reputation and record in the wake of FIFA’s rewritten history
By Andrew Warshaw
October 12 – He was the FIFA trouble-shooter who was eventually fired himself and fell spectacularly from grace. But now Jerome Valcke, for eight years Sepp Blatter’s right-hand man, has gone public with a vigorous defence of his reputation.
Brazilian women turn on CBF demanding equality and opportunity
By Samindra Kunti
October 10 – The crisis in the Brazilian women’s game is deepening following an open letter from veteran players to the Brazilian FA (CBF) demanding gender equality and reform in the game.
CAS make Burkina Faso wait on appeal against FIFA’s SA vs Senegal replay decision
October 10 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that it has received Burkino Faso’s appeal challenging FIFA’s decision to replay the South Africa-Senegal World Cup qualifier but that it will not make any imminent decision.
US judge pushes sentencing of former CONCACAF chief Hawit back into 2018
October 9 – Former CONCACAF president Alfredo Hawit has had his sentencing for his role in the FifaGate scandal delayed until March next year.
Pay equality: Norway raises women’s wages to match men’s team
October 9 – In a first for footballing financial equality, Norway’s male and female players are to receive the same amount for representing their country.
World’s dumbest match-fixers? Refs banned after fixers go to police to claim money back
October 9 – In what is probably the most peculiar case of match-fixing to date, four match officials in Malawi have been banned after the fixers went to the authorities for help to get their money back after they didn’t get the result they wanted.
FIFA fines are just chump change in the battle against racism, says FARE
October 5 – FIFA must do more to combat the increasing incidents of homophobic chanting according to European football’s anti-discriminatory body FARE.
Liverpool report Spartak fans’ racism at academy match…security chief blames media
September 29 – Another accusation of racial abuse by Russian fans has been made – this time by Liverpool who have made an official complaint to UEFA after claiming one of their youth players was targeted.
Island dreams: Jersey win right for full member vote on whether it can join UEFA’s club
By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – The channel island of Jersey has won a partial victory in its bid to become a UEFA member, in the process giving European football’s governing body another unwanted headache over its admittance policy.
Morocco vs UAE cancelled as game becomes a political football
September 28 – The United Arab Emirates’ Football Association (UAEFA) has cancelled their October 10 friendly against Morocco in what is being interpreted locally as a politically-motivated move to pressurise the Moroccan government to back the UAE’s position over the Qatar crisis.
Perugia striker Han told to stay off Italian TV or be repatriated to North Korea
September 28 – A North Korean player on Perugia’s books has been barred from appearing on Italian TV – by the authorities in his own country.
Former Neuchatel Xamax owner Chagaev convicted for fraud as club battles for top flight return
September 28 – The former Russian owner of Swiss club FC Neuchâtel Xamax, Bulat Chagaev, has been handed a suspended jail term in absentia for attempted fraud and a raft of other charges.