Infantino targets Russia 2018 for debut of World Cup video refs
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – New FIFA president Gianni Infantino says video replays could be introduced in time for the 2018 World Cup.
Swansea City investors set for multi-million cash-out on share sale
By Mark Baber
April 20 – The investors who took the plunge to save Swansea City in 2002 are poised for a multi-million return on their investments following a valuation of the club putting it at £100 million. On April 9 a Swansea City club statement said that US investors Steve Kaplan, Jason Levein and their investment group are finalising an agreement to take a controlling interest in Welsh club.
Zwanziger wins ‘cancer’ case and now battles Netzer over 2006 vote-buying claim
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Theo Zwanziger, the controversial former German FA boss and FIFA executive committee member, has won the legal case brought against him by the Qatar Football Association for describing the Gulf state’s right to host the 2022 World Cup as a “cancer on world football”.
AFC heads drive to get more MAs into women’s game at all levels
April 20 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is endeavouring to make greater efforts to support the growth of the women’s game which has struggled for recognition in many parts of the diverse continent.
Sierra Leone target 10 in long running match-fixing probe
April 20 – A match-fixing inquiry conducted by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has announced that “10 persons of interest” are to be quizzed and investigated over long-standing allegations.
Man Utd top weekly attendance chart as Chelsea dip
April 20 – Man Utd topped the attendance capacity chart for Round 34 of the Premier League, in a week that saw every home team fill their ground to more than 90% of capacity.
Wellington Phoenix secure A-League slot and Huawei sponsorship
April 20 – New Zealand club side Wellington Phoenix have signed what they claim is the largest sponsorship deal in New Zealand football history with China’s Huawei. The deal is estimated to be worth $2 million a season, though no official figure was given.
UEFA calls in Hawk-Eye to keep everything in line at Euros
April 20 – UEFA have confirmed that the Hawk-Eye system will be used to decide whether or not the ball has crossed the line at this year’s European Championships. The camera-based system will be installed in all 10 stadia before the tournament kicks off on June 10 at the Stade de France.
Mussenden manifesto woos Caribbean with corruption cash, pro-league and Trinidad training centre
By Paul Nicholson
April 19 – Larry Mussenden, one of the last two standing candidates in the election to the presidency of CONCACAF, has launched his election manifesto promising to chase down the $190 million of corruption cash collected by the US justice department, to push for a Caribbean professional league and to get back the Trinidad training centre from Jack Warner,
Belgian stars will get a €700K pay day if they win Euro 2016
By Samindra Kunti
April 19 – The Belgian Red Devils will earn a handsome €700,000 per player if they win this summer’s EURO 2016 in France.
US investigators take hard look at banks, broadcasters and sponsors
April 19 – The US investigation into football corruption that rocked FIFA to its core has now apparently shifted focus away from football officials and deeper into the banks, broadcast and sponsorship markets that made the bribery and money laundering possible.
Villa crisis deepens as Bernstein and King quit board, but sale talks still on
April 19 – Just days after being relegated for the first time in 28 years with a month of the season still to play, Aston Villa have been plunged into yet more turmoil with two board members resigning.
US judge pushes corruption trial date back as ‘discovery’ continues
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – The US federal judge overseeing football’s sweeping corruption scandal is reported to have conceded that February next year will be too early to start proceedings.
Wolves come under fire for taking Money Shop cash
By Mark Baber
April 19 – The announcement that Wolverhampton Wanderers have agreed a deal with US headquartered payday lender Dollar Financial for their Money Shop brand to be the club’s main sponsor has stirred up controversy, with two local MPs and the heads of two local councils writing to the club’s chief executive Jez Moxey asking him to reconsider the deal in the interests of supporters and constituents.
Webb expresses ‘regret’ and remorse over bribery schemes
By Andrew Warshaw
April 19 – Jeffrey Webb, the former CONCACAF leader who fooled the world as the self-proclaimed arbiter of morality and good governance, says he “deeply regrets” taking bribes on his way to the top of football’s political ladder before falling dramatically from grace.