Blatter re-elected as FIFA President with huge support
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
June 1 – Sepp Blatter was today officially re-elected here as President of FIFA, extending a controversial reign that began in 1998.
Gold Cup 2025
USA clinch last four slot with penalty win over Costa Rica
USA 2 Costa Rica 2 (USA win 4-3 on pens)
June 29 – You’d hate to use the word ‘sterile’ to describe a Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final, but following the drama and passion of Guatemala versus Canada, it all felt a little flat as the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Costa Rica kicked off for the right to face Guatemala in St. Louis. After 90 minutes and the drama of penalty kicks,
Europe’s top clubs demand change at FIFA
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
June 1 – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (pictured), head of the European Club Association (ECA) that represents the interests of every major professional club throughout the continent, has called for a complete overhaul of how FIFA is governed.
Andrew Warshaw: Brave and courageous? Or foolhardy? Only time will tell if FA got it right in Blatter stand
Brave and courageous where no-one else feared to tread, or foolhardy and ill-timed in the extreme?
I freely admit I have mixed feelings about England’s doomed effort to have the FIFA Presidential election postponed, the latest blow to their global credibility following the 2018 World Cup debacle.
Anyone in their right mind, given the cloud of collective suspicion and skullduggery enveloping FIFA, should applause a genuine attempt to bring about change after the most sordid episode in the organisation’s history.
Asian football needs a “revolution” claims Bin Hammam replacement
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
June 1 – New Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Zhang Jilong today promised a “revolution” to help repair the damage caused by the alleged bribery allegations involving Mohamed Bin Hammam.
Arab countries fail to relax nationality rules
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
June 1 – An attempt by Arab nations to relax the rules on players switching nationality was thrown out by FIFA today, a blow to countries like 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar to buy up and develop young talent ahead of the next World Cup in Brazil.
Fresh FIFA concern over Brazil’s World Cup infrastructure
By David Gold
June 1 – FIFA has expressed fresh concerns over Brazil’s progress in developing its infrastructure sufficiently in time for the 2014 World Cup.
Argentina put the boot in as England left humiliated by FIFA again
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
June 1 – England’s gamble to try to get FIFA Presidential election called off today failed as expected even though 16 other countries supported the move.
World Cup to be chosen by 208 countries announces Captain Blatter
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
June 1 – Sepp Blatter today announced that FIFA’s 208 member federations will select the host country of the 2026 World Cup rather than the ruling Executive Committee.
Exclusive: Bin Hammam leaves Zurich after legal appeal fails
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
June 1 – Mohamed Bin Hammam, the one-time challenger to Sepp Blatter for the FIFA Presidency before being charged with alleged serious bribery, flew out of here today a few hours before his rival was about to be appointed for a fourth and final term.
Germany want investigation into Qatar 2022 bid campaign
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
June 1 – Germany has called for the circumstances that led to Qatar being awarded the 2022 World Cup to be investigated as the controversy surrounding the decision to award the tournament to the tiny Gulf state refuses to subside.
Jack Warner ally tries to fire FIFA whistleblower
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 31 – Chuck Blazer, the prominent FIFA official who blew the whistle on the biggest bribery scandal in its history, faced a battle to keep his position as general secretary of the CONCACAF Confederation tonight as the crisis at the heart of the world governing body took a farcical turn.
“We are taking this stand on matter of principle” claims head of FA
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 31 – English Football Association chairman David Bernstein has claimed he wants his organisation to play a significant role in reforming FIFA having decided to abstain in tomorrow’s Presidential vote.
FIFA lifts Bosnia’s international suspension
By David Gold
May 31 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has taken a break from defending world football’s governing body from public criticism and bribery allegations to confirm that Bosnia has had a suspension preventing it from competing in international football lifted.
Rogge predicts FIFA will emerge stronger if they follow IOC lead
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 31 – International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has claimed here today that under-fire FIFA will emerge from their current crisis if they copy the way the IOC reformed itself more than ten years ago.
Warner reported to FIFA again by Blazer over allegations he has violated ban
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 31 – Veteran FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has been reported for allegedly violating the terms of his ban from all football-related activities.