Latest in Tag: FIFA Highlight
Latest in Tag: FIFA
Trade unions test Qatari sincerity with demands for labour reform
International trade unions have stepped up pressure on Qatar with a series of demands, a majority of which the Gulf state could implement, without having to reform its autocracy or threaten the privileged position of its citizens, who account for a mere 12% of the population. They fear the change could cost them control of …
‘Punching ball’ Blatter vows to fight eight-year FIFA ban
Joseph Blatter has pledged to fight the eight-year ban handed down to him by FIFA’s Ethics Committee with all means at his disposal. He also reiterated earlier assertions that he had done nothing wrong.
Report: FBI investigating Blatter role in scandal
The Swiss president of world football’s governing body faces a hearing with FIFA’s Ethics Committee this month, but is now at the center of the FBI’s probe into corruption, the BBC has reported. Suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter is the next target of the FBI’s investigation into corruption, according to a report from the BBC’s …
FIFA looking to ban Platini for life, says lawyer
This could be a big blow to the UEFA boss and his ambitions of heading football’s governing body. Michel Platini is already serving a 90-day suspension from football-related activities. UEFA’s president, Michel Platini, who hopes to succeed Sepp Blatter atop FIFA, could face a life ban from football, according to his lawyer. Lawyer Thibaud d’Ales …
Platini lodges appeal with CAS against FIFA ban
The move comes after FIFA rejected the Frenchman’s joint bid with Sepp Blatter to get their provisional suspensions overturned. The FIFA ban has dealt a blow to Platini’s hopes of succeeding Blatter. UEFA President Michel Platini has lodged an appeal to the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his 90-day provisional ban, as …
No voice louder than the World Cup
Conflict increases in playoffs qualifying to World Cup finals Russia 2018 in Africa, Asia, and North and South America
Bahraini players’ support for Salman raises more questions than answers
In recent statements, Bahraini football players sought to absolve Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and world football body FIFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, who is a member of Bahrain’s ruling family, of any moral or direct responsibility for the arrest, dismissal, and abuse of hundreds of sports executives and athletes accused …
FIFA bans Nepal, Laos football chiefs for corruption
The two Asian football officials have been found guilty of seeking and accepting bribes at elections to choose members of FIFA’s Executive Committee. They have been handed 10 and two-year bans. FIFA has banned the president of Nepal’s football association for 10 years after he was implicated for bribery at elections to choose Asian delegates …
FIFA fines Angel Maria Villar Llona for misconduct
FIFA has slapped the wrists of one of its vice presidents over misconduct during an investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. It also imposed six-month bans on two Congolese officials. A statement issued by FIFA’s Ethics Committee on Friday said it had fined Vice President Angel Maria Villar Llona 25,000 …
FIFA declares five candidates eligible for presidential vote
FIFA has declared five candidates eligible to run to become its next president. Its current president, Sepp Blatter, is to step down to make way for his successor at a congress early next year. Soccer’s world governing body FIFA announced in a statement posted on its website on Thursday that it had admitted the candidacies …
Infantino to withdraw from FIFA race if Platini is cleared
Michel Platini, who had been the frontrunner to succeed FIFA president Sepp Blatter, remains suspended, pending an investigation by FIFA’s Ethics committee. UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday he would withdraw from FIFA’s presidential election if Michel Platini, the UEFA president who is serving a 90-day ban from all football-related activities, is allowed …
AFC president’s FIFA presidential bid mired in abuse of human rights allegations
Assertions by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, a candidate for the presidency of world football body FIFA, that he was not involved in the arrest and abuse of sports executives and athletes in his native Bahrain in 2011 raise more questions than answers. Sheikh Salman’s rise in world football governance, …
FIFA’s official Marin extradited to US to face bribery charges
Switzerland has handed over former Brazilian football chief Jose Maria Marin to US authorities. Marin is one of the seven FIFA executives arrested on bribery charges during the large Zurich raid.
Brazil’s Marin agrees to US extradition in FIFA corruption case
Jose Maria Marin, who led the organizing committee for World Cup 2014 in Brazil, has agreed to relocation to the US pending trial. He’s wanted on racketeering charges and could face up to 20 years. Switzerland’s justice ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that the 83-year-old Marin “must be placed in the custody of …
AFC Salman’s FIFA candidacy puts integrity checks to test
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa’s candidacy for the presidency of world football body FIFA is likely to serve as a litmus test for newly introduced integrity checks on the group’s executives. Sheikh Salman was a former football player and consistently refused, like other members of his ruling family, to respond …
South Africa’s Sexwale to run for FIFA presidency
South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale has become the latest man to throw his hat into the ring of candidates to succeed Sepp Blatter as FIFA president. A successor is to be elected early next year. The 62-year-old Sexwale told a press conference in Johannesburg on Saturday that he would submit his candidature papers to FIFA …
Zwanziger had ‘no knowledge’ that FIFA payment was dubious
A war of words between the German FA and its former president continued this weekend. The two sides have been trading allegations about alleged wrongdoing related to Germany’s successful bid to host the 2006 World Cup. Former DFB (German FA) President Theo Zwanziger hit back on Saturday at current senior German football officials who have …
FIFA confirms February presidential election date
FIFA has confirmed that it will hold a special congress to elect a new president early next year. It is not clear whether the suspended Michel Platini, formerly a favorite for the post, will be allowed to stand. Followng an extraordinary meeting in Zurich to discuss the world governing body’s current crisis, FIFA’s Executive Committee …
Report: DFB considering legal action against former president
The allegations that illicit payments were involved in Germany winning the right to host the 2006 World Cup continue to shake the DFB. Now there is a report that it could take its former president to court. The report published in Tuesday’s edition of the Munich-based daily “SĂĽddeutsche Zeitung” cited unnamed sources at the German …
OECD holds FIFA responsible for Qatari World Cup-related labour conditions
A Swiss government-sponsored unit of the Paris-based Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has defined world football body FIFA as a multi-national bound by the group’s guidelines. As a result, the group concluded that FIFA is responsible for the upholding of the human and labour rights of workers employed in Qatar on 2022 …
Three Germans, five Bayern players make Ballon d’Or shortlist
Three members of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team have been named to the shortlist for the annual Ballon d’Or award as the world’s best football player. Current holder Cristiano Ronaldo is among the favorites. Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, his teammate, Thomas MĂĽller and Toni Kroos of Real Madrid were among the 23 players on …
Platini confirms Blatter payment under ‘verbal contract’
UEFA President Michel Platini has said that a payment he received from FIFA boss Sepp Blatter four years ago was part of a “verbal contract.” Platini, who has been banned by FIFA, is still hoping to succeed Blatter. Speaking in an interview published in Monday’s edition of the French newspaper “Le Monde” on Monday, Platini, …
Slush fund revelation bad news for Germany, FIFA and football
Revelations that the World Cup 2006 organizing committee had a secret slush fund have rocked Germany, UEFA and FIFA – all for different reasons. DW’s Jefferson Chase discusses the fall-out of a burgeoning scandal. One indication of the sorry state of FIFA is the fact that almost everyone sees the circumstantial evidence produced by news …
FIFA to rescue troubled Saudi King Salman
Palestine is a headache Saudi King Salman doesn’t need as he confronts rare demands from members of his ruling family that he and his son be removed from power, growing unease about a seven-month old devastating military campaign in Yemen that has caused devastation and mounting civilian casualties, widespread criticism of the kingdom’s handling of …
FIFA sets dates for 2022 World Cup in Qatar
FIFA announces the dates for a 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but mysteriously cancels press conference at the last minute. As expected, given the country’s climate, the tournament will be in November and December. In typically dramatic fashion, FIFA combined an announcement about the 2022 World Cup with an unexplained press conference cancellation on Friday. …
Blatter defends FIFA record, says he is clean
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has defended his organization’s bruised reputation. In a television interview, Blatter said he is clean and there is no organised corruption at world soccer’s governing body
FIFA’s Sepp Blatter ends stint on International Olympic Committee
FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s leadership role in another major world sporting body has ended. Blatter has decided against running for re-election as a member of the International Olympic Committee. The head of global football organization FIFA, which has been caught up in a wide-ranging corruption scandal, had informed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) he would …
Platini confirms he wants to succeed Blatter
From February 2016, FIFA will have a new leader and on Wednesday, Frenchman Michel Platini has officially declared himself a possible candidate. The news could also mean something for German FA boss Wolfgang Niersbach. Just one day after reports suggested UEFA President Michel Platini would stand for the FIFA presidency, the 60-year-old Frenchman has confirmed …
Michel Platini set to run for FIFA presidency
After waiting in the wings for quite some time, it seems that UEFA boss Michel Platini will stand for the biggest job of them all. The Frenchman is expected to announce later this week. According to two officials familiar with Platini's plans, Michel Platini will run for FIFA president after the UEFA president received encouragement to run from most leaders…
FIFA, Blatter offer Russia full support for 2018 World Cup
FIFA has passed a resolution offering Russia full support for holding the 2018 World Cup. FIFA President Sepp Blatter made the announcement ahead of the World Cup's preliminary draw in St. Petersburg. FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced on Saturday that football's governing body had passed a resolution offering Russia full support for holding the 2018 World Cup. "I would like…