James Dostoyevsky: Africa’s tomorrow is fast approaching
African football is in a dilemma. Not the first time, for that. CAF, the Confederation of African Football, is voting tomorrow and the result may well be remarkable.
CAF acts on trash-talking Chiyangwa with referral to disciplinary body
By Andrew Warshaw
March 15 – As African football awaits its most far-reaching election in three decades, outright war has broken out between the two rival camps with the self-styled campaign manager for the sole challenger to Issa Hayatou’s previously untouchable throne facing disciplinary action.
Pinnick pressured to put country first and personal interest second in Ahmad vs Hayatou vote
By Andrew Warshaw
March 15 – Twenty-fours before the most hotly anticipated election in African football history, Nigerian authorities have denied they have ordered their highly influential FA to vote for Issa Hayatou as he bids to cling on to power for another four-year term.
Twitter: Everton maintain weekly lead over Spurs as Man Utd and Arsenal gallop ahead
March 15 – The past week has been a good one for growth in Twitter followers to Premier League clubs. Manchester United topped the weekly growth stats again with 70,500 new followers compared to 59,200 the previous week.
Stability ranking: Bayern, PSG, Barca, Real Madrid and Arsenal lead way
March 15 – New season new team seems to be the club mantra for playing squads across Europe’s Big 5 leagues, but how successful is this policy in terms of achieving honours and stability? Research by the CIES Football Observatory suggests that changing your team every season will not win you prizes.
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.