Jordan open women-specific stadium in prep for 2018 Women’s Asian Cup
March 15 – The Jordanian FA has inaugurated the first women’s stadium in the capital Amman for next year’s Women’s Asian Cup.
AFC seeks neutral venue for DPR Korea vs Malaysia qualifier
March 15 – The Asian Football Confederation has rescheduled the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Round Qualifier between DPR Korea and Malaysia, originally scheduled for March 28, for June 8.
Bility admits on radio to taking the $50,000 Ebola awareness cash sent by FIFA to the LFA
By Paul Nicholson
March 14 – Liberian FA (LFA) president Musa Bility appeared to admit on Liberian radio at the weekend that in 2015 he took $50,000 from FIFA meant to go towards humanitarian aid during the Ebola crisis. The money was distributed to his own executive committee members while he retained $35,000. Bility is accused of multiple acts of corruption by a former LFA executive committee member and other stakeholders in Liberian football.
CAS describes Blatter’s career ending CHF2m payment to Platini as a ‘reckless’ gift
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – Several months after upholding a six-year ban on Sepp Blatter, bringing an inglorious end to the colourful and controversial career of the former FIFA president, the Court of Arbitration has rubbed salt in his wounds with an unwanted belated 81st birthday present.
Playing legend Eto’o deserts federation giant Hayatou in CAF election jostling
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – You might have thought that Samuel Eto’o, as arguably Cameroon’s greatest ever footballing icon, would be backing his compatriot Issa Hayatou when African nations go to the polls on Thursday to decide whether to give Hayatou an unprecedented eighth term or go for Madagascan challenger Ahmad Ahmad.
Mexico averts referees strike after FA reverses lenient player sanctions to a year ban
March 14 – Two South American players with top Mexican clubs have been banned for a year by the country’s FA following a review of lesser punishments which sparked a referees strike.
Brasileirão Feminino kicks off with new two-tier format but old issues of money
By Samindra Kunti
March 14 – This weekend the Brazilian women’s league kicked off in an expanded format, despite financial constraints and a talent drain that has cast a shadow over the 2017 season with many of the top players signed for foreign clubs.
Walkers renames crisp brand to support Leicester’s Champions League push
March 14 – Leicester City, battling to save their Premier League season and status, have received encouragement from their long term sponsor, snack manufacturer Walkers, who are rebranding “one of its most popular flavors of crisps in a sign of support” ahead of the club’s Champions League tie tonight (Tuesday) against Spain’s Sevilla.
SIGA push the integrity agenda at EU Sport Forum
March 13 – The EU Sport Forum in Malta last week was another opportunity for the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) to drive forward its programme of sports governance and integrity recommendations for sport, as well as increase its own credentials as an independent coalition of sports organisation.
Thorsteinsson withdrawal leaves UEFA one person short for FIFA Council spots
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – New eligibility rules laid down by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has led to one of the European contenders for FIFA’s ruling Council to pull out of the running, inadvertently causing a major administrative snafu.
Mutko’s FIFA exclusion leaves the Russian bear with a sore and angry head
By Andrew Warshaw
March 13 – Russian commentators and former football chiefs have reacted with outrage at Vitaly Mutko being barred from standing for re-election to FIFA’s ruling council.
ICC brings Real vs Barca’s El Clásico to Miami Hard Rock Stadium
March 13 – The 2017 International Champions Cup (ICC), the ad hoc tournament organised by US sports agency Relevant Sports (RSE), will have as its showpiece match an El Clasico match-up between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Has the US lost its appetite to police the world’s football corruption?
March 13 – Concerns that football’s worst ever corruption crisis may no longer be a priority under the Trump administration have been heightened by the resignation of Robert L Capers, among 46 United States Attorneys who have stepped down on the orders of new Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
New life breathed into the Great Old as Royal Antwerp return to top flight
By Samindra Kunti
March 13 – Belgium’s oldest football club Royal Antwerp will return to the Belgian top flight after an absence of 13 years following a 5-2 aggregate win over Roeselare in the promotion play-offs.
Egypt puts its muscle behind Ahmad with its Courts getting in on the action
By Staff Writers
March 13 – The final week of the African Football Confederation (CAF)’s Presidential election campaign is off to an explosive start, with CAF obliged to rebut what it says are unsubstantiated charges and allegations that have led to Issa Hayatou being referred to the Egyptian Economic Court within days of Thursday’s vote pitting him against challenger Ahmad Ahmad.