FIFPro demands urgent investigation of Cypriot clubs injecting players
November 30 – The world players union FIFPro has called for an urgent inquiry into suspect medical treatment administered at several top-tier clubs in Cyprus.
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FIFA Ethics ban former Sao Tomean FA boss Dende for corruption and fine him CHF75k
November 30 – FIFA’s ethics committee has imposed a four-year ban on Manuel Dende (pictured second left in happier times), former president of the Sao Tomean Football Association, for accepting a bribe believed to be from former Asian confederation chief and FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.
Hayatou vows to fight ‘grotesque’ $27.9m fine from Egyptian court over Lagardere contract
November 29- Issa Hayatou, former President of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), has launched a scathing attack on the huge fine imposed on him by an Egyptian court over a broadcasting deal for Africa’s football governing body, insisting the decision was politically motivated.
FIFA ethics deputy chair Rajoo quits after Malaysian arrest
November 29 – Just days after he was arrested and temporarily suspended, FIFA has lost a key governance official following Sundra Rajoo’s decision to resign as one of the deputy chairmen of the FIFA’s Ethics Adjudicatory Chamber, a position he has only held since last year.
Concacaf expands 2019 Gold Cup with first Costa Rican venue, Caribbean to also get games
November 28 – Concacaf will be taking its blue riband Gold Cup national team showpiece to Costa Rica for the first time in 2019.
FIFA’s Ethics overlords call for Iran action and Ethics transparency. Will FIFA listen?
November 27 – FIFA has been urged by its own human rights advisory panel to set Iran a deadline for lifting its ban on women attending male matches in order to put an end to gender discrimination.
No dope: Ramos claims drug taking reports wrongly inflame his reputation
November 26 – Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has strongly denied a doping infraction following a report that he allegedly breached the rules after the 2017 Champions League final in Cardiff.
Holland’s Eredivisie blazes revenue solidarity trail sharing UEFA money deeper into league
By Paul Nicholson
November 23 – Dutch clubs in the Eredivisie have agreed a package of reform measures that will increase the revenue distribution amongst its clubs and a requirement for them to invest deeper in youth training programmes.
More FIFA Ethics turmoil as official suspended after deputy chair caught in corruption probe
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – In another hugely embarrassing blow to the credibility of FIFA’s supposedly revamped ethics process under the regime of Gianni Infantino, a leading FIFA ethics official whose lofty position gives him the right to pass judgement on corrupt footballing figures has himself been arrested on suspicion of corruption and temporarily thrown out.
US judge rejects FIFA’s restitution argument awarding just $108k
November 22 – In what will be judged as bitter disappointment for both FIFA and regional confederations Concacaf and Conmebol, a US judge has ruled that they can collectively recoup just $2.63 million from two former officials convicted on bribery charges, a small fraction of the roughly $125 million they had sought.
Ceferin slams ‘secret’ FIFA deals as UEFA and its clubs draw closer with EU support
By Andrew Warshaw
November 20 – Without mentioning Gianni Infantino by name, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin today issued a veiled attack on what he described as “secret” deals orchestrated by his opposite number at FIFA as the row over an alleged plan to sell off FIFA’s World Cup rights as part of a $25 billion deal with a consortium linked to Saudi Arabia escalated.
Germany’s Grindel calls on Infantino to come clean over ‘facts’ behind $25bn sell-off plan
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – A prominent FIFA council member is urging Gianni Infantino to come clean over his alleged landscape-changing plan to sell off FIFA’s World Cup rights as part of a $25 billion deal with a consortium linked to Saudi Arabia.
Swiss federal investigator cleared of FIFA corruption but he will not be returning to work
November 19 – A Swiss federal prosecutor cleared of wrongdoing after being suspended amid questions about his conduct during investigations into suspected corruption surrounding FIFA will not be getting his job back.
Sheikh Ahmad steps down from IOC while Kuwaiti political scandal is investigated
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, one of the most influential powerbrokers in world sport who not so long ago was a major player at FIFA, is “temporarily” stepping aside from his International Olympic Committee duties after he was charged with forgery in Switzerland.
Just a friend? Did Infantino miss the classes on integrity and conflict of interest at law school?
November 16 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has no idea why Switzerland’s lead investigator into corruption within the organization was suspended from his role.