World Football Archives - Page 822 of 938 - Inside World Football

UEFA empowers referees on racism and demands zero tolerance of match-fixing

uefa flag

By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 – UEFA has joined forces with clubs and players in a unified attack on racism and has re-iterated its position that referees have the authority to stop and abandon matches. European football’s governing body reminded officials they were authorised four years ago to halt games in case of serious racism incidents, a policy that has been largely ignored but rekindled in the wake of Kevin-Prince Boeteng’s walk-off.

Africa

Nigerian Senate demands a radical restructuring of country’s football

super eagles

By Mark Baber
March 28 – In the football equivalent of the ‘church and state’ governance debates, the Nigerian Senate has demanded an overhaul of football in the country – despite the Super Eagles winning the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year – but is wary of becoming too involved in running the game.

Archive

Japanese complain over laser treatment in Jordan

lasers from crowd

By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 – Japanese football chiefs have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over alleged dirty tricks during their shock World Cup qualifying loss to Jordan earlier this week.

Archive

Bosman lawyer warns UEFA Fair Play rules may break EU competition law

jean louis dupont

By Andrew Warshaw
March 28 – The lawyer who helped changed the face of European football has warned that UEFA’s Financial Fair Play system may not stand up in court if challenged. Jean-Louis Dupont (pictured), part of the legal team who brought about the Bosman ruling back in the 1990s, says FFP risks violating competition law and freedom of movement.

Archive

Supporters reject sectarianism as Iraq host Syria in Baghdad

Iraq football

March 27 – Iraq defeated Syria 2-1 on Tuesday at the Shaab stadium in Baghdad in only the second time the stadium had been able to host an international fixture since the invasion in 2003.

Archive

Match-fixing discovered in more than 45 UEFA countries, says security firm

betting on football

Exclusive: by Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
March 27 – A vast majority of countries in Europe suffer from match-fixing with up to 300 games per season rigged, according to the company widely regarded as the world’s leading experts in betting fraud detection.

Archive

Snakes in football, Indian venom-busters told to clean up game

By Mark Baber
March 27 – Mohun Bagan beat Pailan Arrows at the Kalyani Stadium on Sunday 3-2, in front of 5,000 spectators, blissfully ignorant of over a dozen poisonous serpents lingering nearby.

Archive

UEFA ExCo meetings kick off with 2020 Euros topping agenda

uefa flag

By Andrew Warshaw
March 27 – The bidding process for the groundbreaking pan-Continental Euro 2020 finals dominates the agenda of a two-day UEFA executive committee (ExCo) meeting today and tomorrow.

Archive

Whistleblower breaks silence on ‘slavery’ of Indonesian football

indonesia

Exclusive: by Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
March 26 – The full extent of the alarming state of Indonesian football has been laid bare by the federation’s chief physiotherapist who claims he has not been paid for five months and has written to FIFA pleading with them to intervene.

Archive

Hungarian nationalists use World Cup qualifier to stage violent protest

Hungary fans

By Mark Baber
March 26 – There were disturbances outside the Ferenc Puskas stadium and teargas fired as Hungary and Romania played out a 2-2 draw in their World Cup qualifier behind closed doors. FIFA had ordered the match to be played in an empty stadium following anti-semitic incidents during a Hungary vs Israel friendly in Budapest last August.

Archive

Chinese Chery goes Brazilian with Santos and Neymar

neymar

By Mark Baber
March 25 – An unusual 8-day, 3-match deal between Chinese automaker Chery and Brazilian club Santos concluded yesterday after the Palmeiras-Santos game.

Archive

CFU issues vote ‘directive’ to members, Gulati the big winner

gordon banks derrick

Exclusive: by Paul Nicholson
March 25 – Having already stepped in to the row surrounding the election of the Antigua and Barbuda FA executive committee and demanding a new vote is conducted, FIFA may have to step into the region again following a letter from the Antiguan president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Gordon ‘Banks’ Derrick to its federations recommending who they should vote for at the upcoming CONCACAF elections, April 19 in Panama.

Africa

Nigeria FA moves against ambush marketers piggy-backing Super Eagles brand

nigerian football

By Mark Baber
March 25 – The Nigeria Football Federation has issued another condemnation of ambush marketing, claiming it is violating the rights of its main official sponsors who include Diageo-owned Guinness, Adidas, Globacom Communications (which also sponsors Manchester United), Cadbury and Samsung.

Archive

Russians are changing the face of their football, says Rosetti

roberto rosseti

By Andrew Warshaw
March 25 – Ever since Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup over two years ago, racism and how to deal with it has been a constant thorn in the side of organisers. While Qatar, who clinched the 2022 tournament during that momentous simultaneous ballot, has been all about a winter World Cup, how to eliminate abuse has been a top priority for Russian officials.

Archive

Fernando’s foundations crumble as Swiss firm fires him

fernando

March 22 – Suspended FIFA executive committee member Vernon Manilal Fernando’s world appears to be closing in on him. The Swiss cement giant he works for, Holcim, has revealed he is being fired following breaches of company rules and regulations.