FIFA fines clubs for breaches of third party ownership rules
April 19 – In the latest crackdown on third party ownership of players, FIFA have handed out a raft of sanctions to clubs for transfer deals.
FIFA
European Leagues slam 48-team 2022 World Cup idea as ‘not making sense’
By Andrew Warshaw
April 18 – The inevitable backlash over possible plans to turn the 2022 World Cup into a 48-team event has kicked into gear with the body that represents Europe’s top leagues saying it will vehemently oppose such a concept.
Infantino says it is time for a 24-team Club World Cup, but ducks the $25bn question
April 13 – He is remaining tight-lipped about details of the $25 billion buyout offer for the Club World Cup and a global Nations League, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino was keen to expand on his plans for the Club World Cup.
48 for 2022? Why wait? Conmebol and Infantino want bigger, better, more
By Andrew Warshaw
April 13 – Ever since Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup, the Gulf state has consistently played down the possibility that matches might be shared with its neighbours.
SoftBank named as one of Infantino’s $25bn FIFA buyout backers
By Paul Nicholson
April 12 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino was reluctant to divulge detail of the $25 billion buyout bid for the Club World Cup and a Nations League competition to his own stakeholders at FIFA Council and to European clubs, but it appears the guys with the money have fewer qualms over releasing more of the detail of their proposal.
UEFA wary of Infantino’s $25bn Nations League and Club World Cup buyout plan
By Tim Röhn
April 10 – UEFA has refused to comment on a proposal by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to seek approval for a secret $25 billion donor to buy the new UEFA Nations League and the Club World Cup.
Arkema signs as first national sponsor for France 2019 Women’s World Cup
April 10 – The Women’s World Cup France 2019 has opened its sponsorship account with French chemicals company Arkema becoming the first national sponsor for the tournament.
Samoura tops list of most powerful women in world sport
April 3 – FIFA’s first ever female general secretary Fatma Samoura takes top position in Forbes’ latest ranking of the most important women in sport.
FIFA’s Greek watchdogs call on Council to suspend the HFF immediately
By Paul Nicholson
March 29 – FIFA’s Greek monitoring committee has had enough. The committee set up in July 2017 to monitor the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) is now calling for its suspension with immediate effect.
World Cup 2026: Morocco fear FIFA politics are pushing them to a pre-vote exclusion
By Andrew Warshaw in Marrakesh
March 26 – On the day FIFA released the bid books of the two contenders to stage the 2026 World Cup, African supporters of Morocco are crying foul over what they perceive as too much power being handed to the all-important panel that will determine whether the underdogs meet the necessary criteria to take on the heavyweight favourites from North America.
Exclusive: Bility pressures Infantino not to release Liberia financial audit findings in advance of LFA elections
By Paul Nicholson
March 21 – Outgoing Liberia FA (LFA) president Musa Bility has petitioned FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino not to release the findings of an audit of the LFA in December last year.
FIFA struggles with women’s game as Council kills World League proposal
By Andrew Warshaw
March 21 – Gianni Infantino, used to getting his own way since taking over as FIFA president, has failed in his bid to introduce a new global league for women amid concerns that not enough consultation took place with the various stakeholders before the idea was officially tabled.
Poland to host U20 World Cup in 2019. Peru picked for U17
March 21 – Poland has been awarded the right to host the 2019 U-20 World Cup, seeing off competition from India. Peru will host the 2019 U-17 World Cup.
FIFA Council approves VAR for Russia 2018 World Cup debut
By Andrew Warshaw
March 19 – Despite reservations far and wide, as anticipated FIFA’s ruling Council has rubber-stamped the decision earlier this month by football’s lawmakers to approve video assistant referees for the World Cup and beyond.
FIFA loss smaller than expected, as $6.5 billion target set for Qatar 2022 cycle
By David Owen
March 18 – FIFA have reported a net loss of $191.5 million for 2017, the third year in the four-year World Cup cycle that will culminate with Russia 2018 this summer.