France open criminal investigation into award of 2018 and 2022 World Cups
April 28 – France has become the third country after the United States and Switzerland to investigate the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
FIFA
Race for CAF seat on FIFA Council hots up with former development chief entering fray
By Paul Nicholson
April 27 – The African race for a position on the FIFA Council has a new competitor. Former FIFA senior development manager for Africa, Zelkifili Ngoufonja (better known in football circles as Zul), has put himself and is campaigning on a platform of transparency, youth development and a good deal for Africa at FIFA.
Infantino greenlights video refs for World Cup after he rules tests are a success
April 27 – In a move that seems sure to receive widespread support even though it is not technically a unilateral decision, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that video replays will be used at the 2018 World Cup.
FIFA and Russians say press are free to report Confed Cup without ‘any restrictions’
By Andrew Warshaw
April 26 – FIFA has rejected German accusations that it is restricting press freedom during this summer’s Confederations Cup in Russia, the traditional World Cup warm-up tournament.
FIFA poised to offer Israel 6-month deal to kill off its six West Bank teams
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – The FIFA committee charged with resolving the increasingly intractable Israeli-Palestinian issue looks set to postpone a final ruling once again by giving Israel six months to discontinue playing matches in the occupied West Bank – or face possible sanctions.
Blatter says he is not a ‘suspect’ and Platini could be cleared for return
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – Sepp Blatter’s colourful and controversial career may be over as a result of his six-year ethics ban but despite speculation to the contrary, the 81-year-old insists he will not end up facing prosecution at the hands of either US or Swiss justice authorities.
Makudi wins Thai ‘forgery’ appeal and says FIFA must now lift his ban
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – After the net had seemingly closed in on him once and for all, former FIFA Executive Committee member Worawi Makudi could be about to stage a shock comeback.
Crossing the Green Line: Israeli mount political offensive as Palestinians call foul
By Andrew Warshaw
April 21 – Israel is stepping up its diplomatic efforts to foil another Palestinian motion within FIFA for severe sanctions to be applied on its Middle East neighbour.
FIFA dismisses Blumenthal’s 2018 demand saying it can’t solve ‘political problems’
April 21 – As expected, FIFA has dismissed a call by a US senator to strip Russia of hosting the World Cup because of its alleged complicity with the recent chemical weapons attack in Syria.
FIFA scramble for Confederation Cup sales as final ticket window opens
By Samindra Kunti
April 20 – The final phase of ticket sales for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup began on Wednesday and will run until July 2. Ticketing for FIFA’s warm up event for the 2018 World Cup in Russia has so far been slow.
Perception and reality. Mutko blames FIFA for its sponsorship failings
By Andrew Warshaw
April 20 – Having suffered the humiliation of being thrown off FFA’s decision-making Council for failing an eligibility test, Russian football supremo Vitaly Mukto seems to be using every possibility to subtlety strike back at football’s world governing body.
Oceania back ‘pre-award’ of 2026 World Cup to US, Canada and Mexico
April 19 – Oceania have come out in favour of allowing the tripartite US, Canada and Mexico bid for co-hosting the 2026 World Cup to be speeded up.
US, Canada and Mexico push agenda for early 2026 award at FIFA Congress in May
By Paul Nicholson and Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – The United States, Mexico and Canada have somewhat cheekily asked FIFA to fast-track their bid to stage the 2026 World Cup without a proper competitive process.
FIFA Congress agenda to tackle issues of Ethics, Israeli clubs and … their pay
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – Whilst the process for hosting the 2026 World Cup is perhaps the standout item on the agenda for next month’s FIFA Congress (see separate article), the future of FIFA’s ethics committee and the crisis involving Palestine and Israel are also up for potentially contentious discussion in Bahrain.
US, Canada and Mexico outline 2026 bid plans with Trump on board and 60 games in US
By Andrew Warshaw
April 11 – An expanded tournament to 48 teams, Gianni Infantino’s encouragement for a return to co-hosting and the re-establishment of rotation. It has all played very nicely into the hands of CONCACAF whose three biggest members have, as expected, now officially announced their intention to bid for the 2026 World Cup.