Italian team walks off after ref racially abuses goalkeeper
January 31 – The Italian football federation (FIGC) is investigating claims a referee racially abused a player in a non-league game between Serino and Real Sarno.
Spain reopen case into Abidal’s alleged trafficked organ liver transplant
January 31 – Spanish authorities have reopened proceedings into the bizarre and still seemingly murky case of the liver transplant undergone seven years ago by former French international defender Eric Abidal, saying new evidence has come to light suggesting a trafficked organ was used.
UAE protest eligibility of Qatar’s Almoez and Al Rawi and demand AFC Final spot
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 31 – The UAE Football Association has formally protested against the eligibility of two Qatari footballers who played in the Asian Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Uzbek’s cool and quiet official set to make Asian Cup history
By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 31 – Uzbek’s Ravshan Irmatov has officiated more matches in the history of the Asian Cup than any other referee, having taken charge of 13 matches in a record four Asian Cup final tournaments.
Exclusive: Ramon Vega closes in for assault on FIFA’s presidential palace
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – Former Swiss international Ramon Vega has confirmed he is “actively considering” launching a challenge to Gianni Infantino for the Fifa presidency in June.
Russian Demin buys back full ownership of Bournemouth
January 30 – Russian businessman Maxim Demin has regained full ownership of Premier League club Bournemouth after acquiring the 25% stake held by Chicago-based private equity firm Peak6 Investments.
Sala’s family raise cash to keep up search for missing plane
January 30 – The family of missing Cardiff City forward Emiliano Sala have hired a private company, paid for by fundraisers, to carry on looking for the 28-year-old after rescue workers finally called off the official search last week for the light aircraft that was carrying him to his new club but disappeared off the English Channel Island of Guernsey.
PSG top goal scoring efficiency in Europe, Arsenal lead in England, Dortmund in Germany
January 30 – Paris St-Germain lead all European teams when looking at the most efficient shots-to-goal ratios. PSG so far this season have scored every 4.7 shots.
SIGA signs key integrity partnership with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
January 30 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition (PCSFN) have announced a broad partnership to promote sport integrity across America and worldwide.
Chelsea caught in FIFA probe over transfer of under-age foreign players
January 30 – FIFA could sanction Chelsea if the governing body finds the London club guilty of breaking regulations with regard to ‘transfers’ of more than 100 under-aged players from overseas. Chelsea maintain they have complied with the rules.
Digital streamer FloSports grabs exclusive rights to Concacaf Nations League in US
January 30 – Concacaf have agreed an exclusive broadcast rights deal with digital streaming service FloSports for the new Concacaf Nations League which will start in March.
CAF cock-up as Comoros call for Cameroon to be cut
January 30 – Having been stripped of the right to stage this summer’s African Nations Cup, Cameroon are now facing a move to ban them altogether.
Belgian police seek access to whistleblower Pinto’s docs for match-fixing probe
January 30 – Belgian authorities are seeking access to documents relating to alleged corruption acquired by Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto who is under arrest in Hungary.
Tempers fray, shoes fly, as Qatar hand 4-0 drubbing to Asian Cup hosts UAE
UAE 0 Qatar 4
By Paul Nicholson
January 29 – Qatar comprehensively beat Asian Cup hosts UAE 4-0 in what ended up a bad tempered semi-final at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Qatar now go on to meet Japan in Friday’s final.
AFC’s Patel calls for Al Araibi’s urgent return to Australia
By Paul Nicholson in Abu Dhabi
January 29 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has added its voice to the calls for the release of semi-professional football Hakeem Al Araibi and his repatriation to Australia where he has refugee status.