On-line retail giant takes control at J-League’s Vissel Kobe
By Paul Nicholson
December 9 – J-League club Vissel Kobe has been bought by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, the club’s shirt sponsor, for an undisclosed amount.
Asia
Malaysian minister apologies to Vietnamese fans for Suzuki Cup violence
December 9 – Malaysia’s minister of youth and sports, Khairy Jamaluddin, has apologised to Vietnam supporters after they were attacked during the semi-final of the Suzuki Cup in at Malaysia’s Shah Alam stadium.
Exclusive: Proposed AFC shake-up looks bad for women as power base shifts west
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – In another contentious shake-up within its hierarchy, Asian football looks set to scrap its automatic female vice-presidency, held by Australia’s Moya Dodd, a move that is bound to lay the region open to accusations of gender discrimination just when it has been making all manner of noises about inclusion and reform.
Salman to support Blatter next May and reminds AFC to follow
By Andrew Warshaw
December 1 – Asian football’s entire membership has been urged by their president to vote for Sepp Blatter at next year’s FIFA election despite the deepening crisis over the 2018 and 2022 World Cup anti- corruption probe.
Palestine’s Rajoub says it’s time to red card Israel from world football
By Andrew Warshaw
December 1 – The head of Palestinian football has gone back on the offensive against Israel, calling on FIFA to issue sanctions following last week’s raid on the West Bank offices of the Palestinian federation.
Exclusive: AFC letter warns candidates off electioneering at 60th celebrations
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – Delegates attending this weekend’s 60th anniversary of the Asian Football Confederation have been banned from any political electioneering at the gala celebrations to which all 47 federations have been invited, along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and a host of other dignatories.
Colaco banned for taking cash for vote at AFC election for FIFA exco
November 28 – FIFA has banned Alberto Colaco, the former General Secretary of the All India Football Federation, from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for three years.
India: ISL will merge with I-League by 2020
By Mark Baber
November 27 – The All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das (pictured) has said that the Indian Super League will not be profitable for at least seven years but that it will be merge with the country’s I-League before 2020.
Qataris take Gulf Cup title with come-back victory over Saudi
November 27 – If the Qataris needed a confidence boost from the scrutiny of their credentials for staging the 2022 World Cup in the wake of Michael Garcia’s bid investigation report, they delivered it on the field when their players struck a significant blow for progress.
Exclusive: Prince Ali sits on presidential fence over which way to run
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein insists he has not yet decided whether to take on Sepp Blatter for the presidency next year as speculation intensifies that the reform-minded Jordanian could contest the election in May.
AIFF announce I-League start date but gloss over Churchill Brothers case
By Mark Baber
November 25 – Following the All India Football Federation (AIFF) organised I-League meeting in Delhi on Monday, it was announced that the start of the I-League will be on January 17 and that a new AIFF U-15 tournament for I-League clubs will be set up. However, there was no mention of the on-going High Court dispute over the “relegation” of the Churchill Brothers – the reason that no fixtures,
Blatter condemns Israeli military raid on Palestinian FA HQ
By Andrew Warshaw
November 25 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has condemned an apparent Israeli raid on the headquarters of the Palestinian FA after a resurgence of unrest between the two sides, according to Palestinian reports.
WADA boosted by Qatari cash that edges it close to $20m target
By David Owen
November 24 – Qatar, controversial winner of the race to stage the 2022 World Cup, has become the seventh contributor to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s embryonic fund for new anti-doping research, carrying it to within touching distance of its $20m target.
AFF Suzuki Cup kicks off with Sportradar keeping a watching brief
November 23 – Sportradar has further deepened its links in Asia with a contract to monitor the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2014. The 2014 tournament will be jointly hosted in Vietnam and Singapore and will consist of 18 matches.
Singapore court rules to keep match-fixer Dan Tan under lock and key
November 19 – Singapore’s high court has rejected an application by one of the world’s most notorious match-fixers to review a detention order that has allowed him to be held for more than a year without charge, according to his lawyer.