FIFA legal delegation impressed on first official trip to Russia
By David Gold
May 23 – FIFA’s legal delegation has concluded its first official visit to Russia ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
Blatter confirms Japan will host 2011 World Club Cup
By David Gold
May 23 – Japan will be hosting the Club World Cup in December as planned despite continuing fears over the nuclear crisis in the country following March’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has confirmed.
Qatar 2022 hit back at Sunday Times claim they bribed FIFA Executive Committee members
By Andrew Warshaw
May 23 – Qatar’s football authorities today hit back with a vengeance at what they termed “a series of serious, unsubstantiated and false allegations” that bribes were paid to two senior FIFA officials to support the Gulf state’s 2022 World Cup bid.
Mihir Bose: Triesman’s revelations are explosive but there is no smoking gun
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Lord Triesman’s testimony in Parliament may not prove to be quite the defining moment for FIFA that the media coverage suggests. Triesman’s statements have been seen as FIFA’s equivalent of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Salt Lake City moment. That ended with the IOC cleaning up its act and expelling 10 members.
My worry is that the Triesman intervention could be great theatre but not lead to any real change.
I say this based on having witnessed an even more explosive drama at the IOC’s headquarters in Lausanne back in December 1998.
Blatter blames rival for bringing in man alleged to have delivered Qatar bribes
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – With 10 days to go until the FIFA Presidential election, Sepp Blatter took another opportunity today to address African football leaders before moving on to Japan for the final leg of his lobbying campaign.
Chairman not guilty of conflict of interest say Premier League
By Andrew Warshaw
May 20 – The Football Assoiciation and Premier League have given written submissions that there was no conflict of interest over the award of merchandise contracts to a company part-owned by the son of Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards.
Blatter stunned by FA’s “strange” decision to abstain from FIFA vote
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 19 – Sepp Blatter reacted with veiled astonishment today at the announcement by the English Football Association that they would be taking the rare option of abstaining at the upcoming FIFA Presidential election.
Top German FA official bemused by FIFA goal-line technology delay
By David Gold at the SPONSORs Sports Summit in Dusseldorf
May 19 – Wolfgang Niersbach (pictured), the general secretary of the German Football Federation (DFB), has hit out at FIFA over how long it is taking to introduce goal-line technology to determine whether a ball has crossed the line or not.
Bundesliga executive wary of “Murphy Ruling” impact on top European clubs
By David Gold at the SPONSORs Sports Summit in Dusseldorf
May 19 – The case of Karen Murphy, the pub owner in Portsmouth whom a European judge ruled could use a Greek decoder to reduce the costs of showing live Premier League television to her customers, was discussed by Wolfsburg managing director Thomas Rottgerman (pictured) here today.
Qatar whistleblower invited to FIFA to show them the evidence
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 19 – The whistleblower at the centre of corruption claims over Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid has been asked by FIFA to provide evidence against two voting members alleged to have each been paid $1.5 million (£917,000) to back the Gulf state.
Iran bids to host World Club Cup
By David Gold
May 18 – Iran is bidding to host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2013 and 2014, along with Morocco, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
FA marketing and communications director quits
By Andrew Warshaw
May 17 – Julian Eccles quit today as marketing and communications director of the English Football Association, another blow to the image of the organisation in the wake of its failed 2018 World Cup bid.
FIFA and UEFA take attempt to charge UK audience to watch international tournaments to the European Court of Justice
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By David Gold
May 16 – Football’s governing body FIFA and UEFA, the most powerful regional confederation, are to contest a legal ruling preventing them from charging supporters to view World Cup and European Championship games.
Plan drawn up for Russia 2018 high speed rail network
By David Gold
May 16 – The Institute of Economics and Transport Development in Russia has prepared a draft plan for the development of a rail network to transport fans and players across the country during the 2018 World Cup.
PSSI to hold congress as Indonesia hopes to avoid FIFA ban
By David Gold
May 16 – Djoko Driyono, the acting secretary general of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) has confirmed that their congress was being held to avoid further censure from FIFA.