Chinese Chery goes Brazilian with Santos and Neymar
By Mark Baber
March 25 – An unusual 8-day, 3-match deal between Chinese automaker Chery and Brazilian club Santos concluded yesterday after the Palmeiras-Santos game.
Date dispute over postponed NI vs Russia World Cup qualifier
March 25 – FIFA could be forced into making a ruling on when to reschedule the World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and Russia, twice postponed because of the unseasonally hostile weather that has ripped through most of Britain.
CFU issues vote ‘directive’ to members, Gulati the big winner
Exclusive: by Paul Nicholson
March 25 – Having already stepped in to the row surrounding the election of the Antigua and Barbuda FA executive committee and demanding a new vote is conducted, FIFA may have to step into the region again following a letter from the Antiguan president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Gordon ‘Banks’ Derrick to its federations recommending who they should vote for at the upcoming CONCACAF elections, April 19 in Panama.
Nigeria FA moves against ambush marketers piggy-backing Super Eagles brand
By Mark Baber
March 25 – The Nigeria Football Federation has issued another condemnation of ambush marketing, claiming it is violating the rights of its main official sponsors who include Diageo-owned Guinness, Adidas, Globacom Communications (which also sponsors Manchester United), Cadbury and Samsung.
Dodd welcomes FIFA move to open up more women’s ExCo positions
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
March 25 – Three of the four women chasing a spot on FIFA’s executive committee could end up sharing the top table of football’s world governing body.
Russians are changing the face of their football, says Rosetti
By Andrew Warshaw
March 25 – Ever since Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup over two years ago, racism and how to deal with it has been a constant thorn in the side of organisers. While Qatar, who clinched the 2022 tournament during that momentous simultaneous ballot, has been all about a winter World Cup, how to eliminate abuse has been a top priority for Russian officials.
Qataris say they are committed to a Summer World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
March 22 – Local organisers of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, having listened to claims and counter-claims over whether to switch the tournament from summer to winter, have responded by saying they would be willing to host at either time but still have a preference for summer.
PSG vs Barça ignites Parisian ticket frenzy
By Tom Parsons
March 22 – Paris St Germain has received record ticket requests in anticipation of their mouth watering Champions League quarter-final tie against Spanish giants Barcelona on April 2.
Fernando’s foundations crumble as Swiss firm fires him
March 22 – Suspended FIFA executive committee member Vernon Manilal Fernando’s world appears to be closing in on him. The Swiss cement giant he works for, Holcim, has revealed he is being fired following breaches of company rules and regulations.
David Owen: Why Valcke can breathe again – but not China
Here are a few preliminary thoughts on the reform proposals approved yesterday by FIFA’s Executive Committee.
1. Jérôme Valcke can breathe again.
The third of the 10 points indicates that the ExCo has headed off a proposal put forward recently by the 53 European FIFA member associations that could, I think, have excluded FIFA’s general secretary from running for the FIFA Presidency.
Hammers finally nail deal on Olympic Stadium move
March 22 – Football’s use of the state-of-the-art London 2012 Olympic stadium has at last been resolved after the government agreed to put in an extra £25m towards the costs of converting the venue, allowing Premier League West Ham United to take over.
Greek crisis deepens as AEK Athens president arrested over club’s unpaid taxes
By Mark Baber
March 22 – AEK Athens president Andreas Dimitrelos (pictured) has been arrested over €170 million in taxes owed by the Greek top flight club.
News Analysis: the perception and reality of FIFA reform
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
March 22 – It was the briefest of interventions but it provided a telling insight into the tensions of the previous two days and the current state of play.
Hull fan drops case, but anti-police demo to still go ahead
By Mark Baber
March 22 – The legal action brought by 15 year old Louis Cooper over restrictions placed on fans has been dropped after agreement with West Yorkshire police on a new set of conditions which improve fans’ access to the Huddersfield Town v Hull City football match on 30 March 2013.