FIFA trims its former apparatchik Makudi’s suspension to 3.5 years
May 17 – Former FIFA Executive Committee member Worawi Makudi has scored a token success in the fight to clear his name.
FIFA
FIFPro suspicion as Infantino’s $25bn cash plan offers big clubs a bi-annual $1.5bn feast
May 11 – The international players union FIFPro is the latest organisation to express their opposition to Gianni Infantino’s ambitious plans to change the landscape of world football with two new competitions, a revamped Club World Cup and a new FIFA Nations League.
FIFA cuts comms lines, scrapping daily 2018 World Cup briefings
May 10 – In a move that seems likely to be regarded in some circles as a protectionist measure to avoid negative publicity, FIFA has scrapped its daily media briefings at next month’s World Cup, with a need-to-know policy installed instead.
Blatter says 2026 bid evaluation Task Force has too much power
May 9 – Sepp Blatter, who continues to speak out about the way FIFA has been operating since he was forced to step down before being banned from the game, has urged his old organisation to allow Morocco to take part in the 2026 World Cup ballot.
Catching up…jailed Trujillo receives life ban from FIFA ethics
May 9 – Hector Trujillo, the first defendant to be sentenced in the FIFA corruption scandal, has been banned for life by FIFA’s ethics committee for taking bribes linked to marketing deals for World Cup qualifying games.
Russian racism: A few monkeys doesn’t make a troop, rules FIFA
May 9 – Just five weeks before the start of the World Cup, FIFA has given Russia a symbolic wrap over the knuckles by fining the Russian soccer federation CHF30,000 ($30,000) after fans racially abused French players during a recent game in St. Petersburg.
Exclusive: Olsson says Infantino’s new competition cash promise is a bid for re-election votes
By Andrew Warshaw
May 5 – The head of the umbrella body for Europe’s major leagues has stepped up the war of words over Gianni Infantino’s proposal to restructure world football by accusing the FIFA president of trying to buy votes.
European Leagues body slams Infantino’s new competitions plan as half-baked ‘old FIFA’
By Andrew Warshaw
May 3 – The body representing Europe’s major leagues has issued its sternest warning yet over Gianni Infantino’s controversial plans to change the face of global football as fresh details emerged about the scale of his proposals.
Infantino makes $75m cash promise to top 5 UEFA nations to take the $25bn global sell off
May 2 – In a move that seems likely to fuel increasingly fraught relations between FIFA and UEFA, Europe’s leading federations have reportedly been offered up to $75 million every two years under plans by Gianni Infantino for a new global league, part of his ambitious proposed $25 billion overhaul of world football.
Calm before the storm? Infantino’s global calendar powwow fuels a love but still no detail
By Andrew Warshaw and Paul Nicholson
May 1 – Gianni Infantino’s grandiose plan to radically change the landscape of world football kicked into gear Monday when FIFA hosted initial talks with confederation leaders over investment proposals for two new competitions worth an estimated $25 billion.
FIFA Congress delegates to get $250 per diems – but no cash
By David Owen
May 1 – Spare a thought for FIFA Congress delegates whose efforts to collect the $250 per diems to which they are entitled at this year’s event in Moscow may be complicated by pesky “Russian legislation”.
Unlucky 13? FIFA pick video refs for Moscow World Cup duty
May 1 – FIFA have named the 13 video assistant referees who could become heroes or villains with their decision making at next month’s World Cup in Russia.
In denial Del Nero to appeal life ban with lawyers saying there is no proof
April 30 – Former Brazilian FA (CBF) president Marco Polo Del Nero, who had his suspension turned into a life ban for bribery and corruption by FIFA’s ethics committee last Friday, says he will appeal against the verdict even though it wouldn’t appear he has much chance of clearing his name.
Boat sailed: FIFA Ethics bans Brazilian Marco Polo Del Nero for life
April 27 – Former Brazilian FA (CBF) president Marco Polo Del Nero, already suspended by FIFA’s Ethics committee last December, has had that suspension turned into a life ban from all football-related activities at both national and international level.
Keeping it in the family: FIFA Ethics drops Samoura investigation
By Andrew Warshaw
April 27 – Just six days after apparently being reported to FIFA’s ethics committee for an alleged conflict of interest relating to Morocco’s 2026 World Cup bid, FIFA number two Fatma Samoura has been told she has no case to answer, fuelling speculation of a botched behind-the-scenes plot to have the Moroccans thrown out of the process.