FIFA opens consultation on the future direction of world game
May 27 – World federation FIFA has launched a consultation on the future of the game, focusing on the congested match calendar, fan experience and laws of the game.
FIFA
Former Conmebol boss Deluca fined after Swiss money laundering probe
May 26 – A former secretary general of Conmebol, Eduardo Deluca (pictured), has been fined CHF 5,000 as part of an official Swiss inquiry into money laundering.
FIFA tweaks its statutes on Women’s World Cup bidding and key committees
May 24 – World governing FIFA has brought the bidding process for the Women’s World Cup into line with the process for the men’s equivalent following an amendment of the organisation’s statutes at Congress that will in future see all member associations vote for the host country.
Infantino backs VAR-forced rethink of offside rule in favour of attack
May 24 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has personally backed overhauling the offside rule by doing away with hairsbreadth decisions that have caused so much anguish among players and fans alike.
FIFA is currently trialling a new rule in China and the United States that would give the advantage to strikers and stop what Infantino called being offside “by a nose” because of controversial VAR calls.
“The offside rule is definitely one of the laws we need to look at,” said Infantino.
Nordic members tell FIFA Congress more must be done on Qatar workers’ rights
May 24 – The Nordic membership of FIFA has stepped up pressure on the world governing body to improve workers’ rights in Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts.
Prosecutor, judge and jury: Rojas switch shatters FIFA Ethics’ integrity credentials
By Paul Nicholson
May 21 – Whatever credibility or trust that might have been lingering in FIFA’s Ethics apparatus was pretty much shattered at the world governing body’s congress today with the election of Maria Claudia Rojas (pictured), former chair of the investigatory chamber, to the deputy chair of its adjudicatory chamber.
Infantino keeps everyone on-side as he promises a ‘global’ world and an 11-man (and woman) plan
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino today outlined an 11-point plan for making football “truly global” and in doing so took another veiled swipe at Europe’s perceived domination of the sport.
World Cup every two years? Infantino promises an ‘open mind’
By Samindra Kunti
May 21 – What Gianni Infantino wants, Gianni Infantino normally gets. At today’s annual (virtual) Congress, the FIFA president in his opening address alluded to reshaping the global calendar, and the future and frequency of Zurich’s flagship competitions.
ESL: Irritated Infantino argues he was ‘speaking to clubs’, not ‘colluding with them’
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – Gianni Infantino hit back strongly today at suggestions that he might have been complicit in helping orchestrate the aborted European Super League.
Keller quits Infantino criminal probe, warning of Swiss judicial interference
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – On the eve of Gianni Infantino welcoming FIFA’s global membership to today’s annual congress, the Special Prosecutor who was investigating his infamous secret meetings with the former Swiss attorney general formally quit.
SAFF boss Al Misehal says doubling up World Cups would open more player opportunities
May 20 – Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) president Yasser Al Misehal has explained his organisation’s proposal for a feasibility study into staging the World Cup on a biennial basis as “a chance for players to participate more in their peak years”, echoing the sentiment of FIFA’s head of global development Arsene Wenger.
World Cup every two years? FIFA members to discuss feasibility study proposal
By Samindra Kunti
May 19 – A World Cup every two years? It was once mooted by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, but the idea could gain traction again after the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) asked FIFA to conduct a feasibility study on the impact of playing both the men’s and women’s global finals on a biennial basis.
FIFA Ethics’ integrity under fire as elections could make Rojas the judge of her own cases
By Paul Nicholson
May 18 – FIFA Ethics’ chair of its investigatory chamber, Colombian Claudia Rojas, could switch to the chair of its adjudicatory chamber following voting by member associations that closes today. If elected as head of the judiciary, it would mean she would have the final judgement on ongoing cases she has opened and/or investigated.
FIFA wage fund shells out $3m+ to unpaid players in 2020 with $4m expected in 2021
May 14 – A joint project between FIFA and FIFPro to help players whose salaries were not paid has sent $2 million to more than 400 applicants from Greek and Turkish clubs.
FIFA and Qatar 2022 bosses meet with MAs to discuss human rights progress
May 12 – Following human rights protests by international players from Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Norway and letters from the Danish and Norwegian FA’s FIFA and World Cup 2022 organisers Qatar have begun a series of meetings with member associations.