FIFA-man Wenger keeps up pressure for Word Cup every two years
July 6 – Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has repeated his call for the World Cup to be played every two years as part of a complete overhaul of the international calendar.
FIFA
US dominate women’s rankings ahead of Olympics, France make gains
June 25 – FIFA’s latest ranking of Women’s national teams sees the US still top and extending their lead, but France have moved into the top three ranking positions, jumping ahead of the Netherlands. Germany are second.
FIFA bans former Congo and CAF boss Omari for a year for $66,000 graft
June 24 – Constant Omari, for years one of African football’s most influential as well as controversial figures, has been suspended by FIFA for a year for breaking its ethics code.
Covid positive tests force South Sudan forfeit of Arab Cup qualifier
June 22 – South Sudan were forced to withdraw from their Arab Cup qualifier against Jordan due to a number positive Covid-19 tests. FIFA awarded a 3-0 win to Jordan, who will participate in the regional tournament which will serve as a test for World Cup hosts Qatar at the end of the year.
Infantino drops into Kremlin for chat with old pal Putin
June 22 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has met with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss the legacy of the 2018 World Cup as well as preparations for the global finals in Qatar next year.
Mexico hit with fan ban for World Cup qualifiers as fears raised for impact on 2026 hosting
June 20 – World federation FIFA have sanctioned the Mexico football federation (FMF) for the ‘puta’ homophobic chants from supporters during Olympic qualifying matches for the men’s team. As a punishment, Mexicans fans will be banned from El Tri’s first two World Cup qualifiers.
No sick note for Blatter as Swiss summon him for August hearing
June 18 – The Swiss judiciary are not giving up on trying to get former FIFA president Sepp Blatter to answer proceedings against him.
Sport and politics: Infantino and Macron open new FIFA office in Paris
June 11 – FIFA has officially spread its wings in Europe with the formal opening of an office in Paris. The world federation confirmed the news on Thursday when French president Emmanuel Macron and FIFA president Gianni Infantino opened the Hotel de la Marine where the office will be located.
FIFA to spread its operational wings with Paris office opening
June 8 – FIFA will open an office in Paris to move a part of its operations out of Zurich. The world governing body is expected to formally announce the new office later this week.
Optus agree deal rerun of Women’s World Cup 2023 rights for Aussie
June 4 – FIFA have awarded the TV rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 to Optus Sport in the host market Australia, the world federation announced on Thursday.
Infantino bangs the drum for FIFA’s reformed credentials at UN meet
June 3 – At a UN General Assembly event, FIFA president Gianni Infantino once again presented the global governing body as a reformed organisation, stressing the importance of a transparent transfer market, proper bidding processes and praising the partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
FIFA’s Ethics jackboots give Cayman another kicking
June 2 – The Cayman Islands, whose most infamous footballing figure was disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb, are back in the news with another FIFA sanction that this time round looks like a triumph of FIFA bureaucracy over the realities of getting international football played in the most challenging conditions the world has ever seen.
IFAB extends 5 subs rule to cover Qatar 2022 World Cup finals
June 1 – World Cup participants in 2022 will be allowed to use five substitutes per match after football’s rule-making body IFAB extended the right until the end of next year.
Julius Baer buy their way out of FIFAGate corruption case with £80m settlement
By Samindra Kunti
May 28 – Swiss bank Julius Baer has been fined $80 million by the U.S. Department of Justice for its role in FIFAGate, the scandal that rocked world football in 2015.
Famine to feast: FIFA rankings unchanged but packed match calendar will bring change
May 28 – With only one international match played since FIFA last published its rankings, the calendar is about move from famine to feast with an explosion of activity including Gold Cup and Euro 2020 and Copa America, as well as World Cup qualifiers.