UEFA put damper on Man City fireworks
April 15 – Manchester City have been charged by UEFA after fireworks were set off during their 1-0 Champions League quarter-final, second-leg win over Paris St Germain on Tuesday night.
World Football
Derrick may appeal election ban as intrigue deepens over ethics process
By Paul Nicholson
April 14 – Caribbean Football Union president Gordon Derrick, barred yesterday from participating in the CONCACAF presidential election in May by FIFA’s ethics supremo Domenico Scala, could take his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
French drop Benzema for being too hot to handle over sex tape scandal
By Andrew Warshaw
April 14 – Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has finally learned that he will not be selected for France at this summer’s Euros after months of claim and counter-claim over his role in an alleged sex tape blackmail case that has overshadowed his international record on the field.
Messi tops list of best paid footballers with €74m
By Mark Baber
April 14 – Lionel Messi tops ‘France Football’ magazine’s annual ranking of the highest paid footballers, becoming the first footballer in history to earn more than €70 million in a year.
CONCACAF election gets bloody as CFU’s Derrick ruled out of standing
By Paul Nicholson
April 13 – The battle for the presidency of CONCACAF has been reduced to two contenders – Canada’s Victor Montagliani and Bermuda’s Larry Mussenden – after clear favourite Gordon Derrick was removed from the running after being ruled out by CONCACAF’s legal advisors Sidley Austin, supported by FIFA’s Ethics chief Domenico Scala.
Brazil’s ‘most wanted’ Del Nero retakes emperors reins at CBF
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – FIFA’s avowed intention to put the misdemeanours of discredited powerbrokers behind it and focus on a reformed future has got off to an inaupicious start – in Brazil at least.
Uruguayan police may bring in Interpol in bid to secure Gorka Villar
April 13 – Whilst Angel Maria Villar Llona controversially continues to stand in for banned UEFA president Michel Platini despite being sanctioned late last year for failing to co-operate with the official investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process, his son is reported to have has fallen foul of judicial authorities in Uruguay.
Greeks avoid suspension after cup given go-ahead
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – The threat of an international ban on Greek football has been lifted after the government and the Greek FA (EPO) reached an 11th-hour agreement with FIFA to restart the domestic cup competition.
England need to find more young Lions to roar or France will devour them
April 12 – If the basis for international success is in the number of young players coaches can pick from their domestic leagues then England, who currently have the youngest national ‘A’ team in Europe, need to be worried about what happens next. France on the other hand has a very bright future.
Former CONCACAF chief Hawit pleads guilty to taking bribes
By Andrew Warshaw
April 12 – Former FIFA vice president and interim CONCACAF president Alfredo Hawit has pleaded guilty to four conspiracy counts as part of the sweeping US investigation into football bribery in the Americas.
FIFA ban Equatorial Guinea women from 2020 Olympic qualifiers
April 12 – Equatorial Guinea have been thrown out of the 2020 women’s Olympic preliminary qualifying football tournament by FIFA after one of their players was found to have used two passports with conflicting details.
PSG will need €190m to meet Neymar’s buyout clause, and €50m+ for wages
By Samindra Kunti
April 12 – FC Barcelona’s Brazilian superstar Neymar, who has had assets seized in Brazil as part of a tax fraud case and whose transfer to Spain was one of the most controversial deals in world football, has had details of his contract released showing he receives a guaranteed salary of €45.9 million with his five-year contract at Barca. His buy-out clause is a massive €190 million.
Infantino says Ecuadorian TV deal was not corrupt but reporting has been a ‘disgrace’
By Andrew Warshaw
April 11 – Gianni Infantino has issued his most stinging rebuttal to date of any wrongdoing in the Panama Papers affair. The new FIFA president describes the way his involvement has been reported as a “disgrace”.
SIGA integrity alliance edges closer and lays out founding principles
By Paul Nicholson
April 11 – The movement towards creating a cross-discipline global sports integrity alliance now has a name for the proposed umbrella body. The official formation of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) took step closer last week at a meeting of leading sports representatives in Madrid.
NFF revolution as Pinnick’s Board is dismissed by Nigerian court ruling
By Mark Baber
April 11 – With Nigeria having been eliminated from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, the factional struggle for control of the Nigerian Football Federation has returned with a vengeance as, on Friday, Chris Giwa’s group returned to court, winning a ruling which effectively makes Giwa head of the federation and overthrows the Amaju Pinnick-led board.