FIFPro slams FIFA reforms as useless for its player members
February 4 – Proposed reforms to clean up football’s scandal-plagued world governing body will not in any way benefit the players, according to their union FIFPro.
Europe
A message from Germany to Qatar: We like your money but we don’t like you
By Mark Baber
February 3 – A German court has ruled former president of the German soccer federation Theo Zwanziger was exercising his right to free speech in referring to Qatar as a “cancerous growth of world football” just as Germany’s most successful club, Bayern Munich, signed a partnership with Qatar’s Hamad International Airport.
Zero tolerance? UEFA halves Dynamo Kiev’s racism sanctions in time for Man City visit
February 3 – Dynamo Kiev will no longer have to face Manchester City in the Champions League behind closed doors after UEFA’s appeals committee controversially reduced a sanction imposed for racist behaviour and crowd disturbances.
Brussels’ €432m new stadium plan hits environmental and cost roadblocks
By Samindra Kunti
February 2 – Brussels’s EURO2020 stadium may face delays in construction after an environmental report cast doubt over the viability of the venue. The projected public funding of €432 million is also raising eyebrows.
Mancini’s Milan derby rant results in one-game ban
January 2 – Under-fire Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini has been given a one-game ban for his antics during Sunday’s derby defeat.
Premier League transfer spend tops £1bn as Dele Alli factor becomes apparent
By David Owen
February 2 – Next season’s new surge of broadcast income for Premier League clubs appeared to exert a heavy influence on another lacklustre January transfer window, with clubs in the relegation or promotion scraps in the top two tiers of English football accounting for a high proportion of expenditure.
Man Utd, Bournemouth and Newcastle have used most players, Arsenal the least
February 2 – Latest CIES Football Observatory figures show that in the Premier League Manchester United, Newcastle and Bournemouth have each used 28 players so far this season, while Arsenal have used just 21. Across Europe’s other Big 5 leagues Nice in France’s Ligue 1 have used more players that any other club with 33.
Racist chants return to England at FA Cup tie
February 1 – The spectre of racism, largely eliminated in English football, raised its ugly head again at the weekend as police revealed they are investigating reports of abusive chanting during an FA Cup tie in the north-western city of Carlisle.
Greek players in sit-down protest against migrant deaths in Aegean
February 1 – Footballers in Greece have staged a sit-down protest as a tribute to hundreds of migrants who have lost their lives trying to reach the Aegean islands.
Storm over a teacup. Le Graet leaves Champagne at dining table
January 29 – FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne had a public spat with the head of the French federation over who to back at the election next month, according to local reports.
Dyke to quit English FA after failure to win unanimous backing for reforms
January 29 – English football’s outspoken chairman Greg Dyke will not seek re-election when his current term ends in June because of a battle over proposed reforms.
Mutko straightens RFU finances with new sponsors and help of falling rouble
By Mark Baber
January 28 – Vitaly Mutko, the Russian Sports Minister and Russian Football Union (RFU) President, has said a new $2.5-3.8 million sponsorship contract is about to be signed for the cash-strapped RFU, and that the union is now getting its finances in order.
Italian police swoop on agents, players and 35 clubs, seizing €12m
January 28 – Italian police have seized assets from 58 players, agents and club executives worth more than €12 million as part of huge crackdown into alleged systematic tax evasion in the country’s top two divisions.
Euro politicos get shirty after FIFA candidates refuse to dance to their tune
By Andrew Warshaw
January 28 – European parliamentarians have accused FIFA’s presidential candidates of scoring a spectacular own goal after four of them declined to take part in Wednesday’s planned televised debate in Brussels which ultimately collapsed.
Confusion steals podium as Brussels ‘forum’ debates its purpose
By Andrew Warshaw
January 27 – In what can only be described as a state of utter confusion, a planned debate on the future of FIFA, which had already descended into farce, was watered down still further today just hours before it was due to take place.