Manaus stadium thrown another lifeline with hosting of crucial Brazil 2018 qualifier
By Samindra Kunti
May 3 – The Brazilian FA, the CBF, has confirmed that Brazil will play their World Cup qualifier against Colombia in September in Manaus.
South America
Brazilian ‘mafia’ inquiry targets Marin, Hawilla, Dunga, Neymar’s Dad and Infantino
By Samindra Kunti
April 29 – The Brazilian parliamentary inquiry (CPI) into corruption in football – actually called CPI da Mafia de Futebol – has requested interviews with former president of the Brazilian FA Jose Maria Marin (pictured) and Traffic founder Jose Hawilla, both currently confined to the United States as part of their agreements with the US Department of Justice as it continues its football corruption prosecutions.
CBF brings in Brazilian coaches and international help for a week of soul-searching
By Samindra Kunti
April 26 – The Brazilian FA, the CBF, have kicked off a week of seminars discussing the future of Brazilian football. Brazil coach Carlos Dunga (pictured) and Italy coach Antonio Conte opened the proceedings.
Neymar’s summer plans in flux as CBF and Barca battle for control
By Samindra Kunti
April 15 – The tug of war between FC Barcelona and the Brazilian FA (CBF) over where Neymar plays this summer is continuing with the CBF insisting on Neymar playing both the centenary Copa America in the US and the Olympic Games in Rio.
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.
CONMEBOL lawsuits multiply as Paraguay HQ comes under threat
April 5 – The beleaguered South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, could be forced out of its Paraguay headquarters due to a $10 million lawsuit relating to the land where it is situated, according to its president.
Brazil crisis: Seleção outside 2018 qualification slots as CBF investigations mount
By Samindra Kunti
April 4 – The Brazilian FA, the CBF, will face more scrutiny by a newly established investigatory commission (CPI). Meanwhile, on the field, Brazil’s qualification campaign for the Russia 2018 World Cup ran into serious problems after draws with both Uruguay and Paraguay.
Gilberto Silva calls in current Brazilian players to back a Bom Senso revolution
By Samindra Kunti
March 30 – Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva and the player movement Bom Senso are seeking a modernisation of the Brazilian domestic game, but Silva says much remains to be done for Brazilian football to remerge as a powerhouse.
Brazil 2014 legacy: Arena Corinthians build dragged into money-laundering investigations
By Samindra Kunti
March 24 – Brazil’s Lavo Jato scandal is further escalating. This time bribes may have been offered in relation to the construction of Arena Corinthians, a 2014 FIFA World Cup venue.
Bad boy Bedoya still seeing red
March 24 – Colombia’s Gerardo Bedoya, widely regarded as the world’s dirtiest footballer, quickly maintained his bad boy reputation in his first game as a senior coach.
Neymar gets guilty verdict for tax fraud and told to stump up €45.9m
By Samindra Kunti
March 21 – Brazil and Barcelona player Neymar has been convicted of tax fraud and ordered to pay €45.9 million in fines and back-taxes.
Show us the money: Texeira loses bank privacy appeal
By Samindra Kunti
March 15 – The former president of the Brazilian FA (CBF), Ricardo Teixeira, is fighting what appears to be a losing battle against the parliamentary inquiry (CPI) led by senator Romario into corruption in Brazilian football. His request to protect bank secrecy has been denied.
Brazil’s CBF chiefs maintain refusal to work with corruption inquiry
By Samindra Kunti
March 11 – When Carlos Dunga, Brazil’s head coach, called up his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay respectively earlier this week, the interim president of the CBF, the Brazilian FA, Antonio Nunes (pictured) mockingly responded to a reporter’s question about Nunes’s possible cooperation with the parliamentary inquiry (CPI) into the business dealings of his organisation.
Paulista calls in Sportradar to run match-fixing detection system in Brazil
March 20 – For the first time on the continent, a South America football rightsholder has enlisted the services of a match-fixing detection service.