IFAB agrees expansion of FVS trial that allows coaches to challenge VAR decisions
December 3 – Coaches could soon have the opportunity to contest refereeing decisions as FIFA mulls over a revamp of VAR.
FIFA
Saudi Arabia, the greatest ever place for a World Cup. FIFA’s bid report says so
December 2 – FIFA World Cup bid evaluation report has, remarkably, awarded Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup the joint highest bidding score ever. Human rights groups, however, have slammed FIFA for “whitewashing” the country’s human rights record and called out glossing over environmental concerns.
Infantino sweeps FIFA sub-committee’s recommendations and Qatar migrant worker report under the carpet
December 2 – In a new low for FIFA and president Gianni Infantino’s administration, FIFA have ignored a key recommendation by its own subcommittee on human rights and social responsibility to compensate migrant workers in Qatar.
Poll finds 72% of female football fans against FIFA’s Aramco sponsorship
November 29 – Female fans of the women’s game across the world oppose FIFA’s current deal with Saudi Aramco based on environmental, women’s rights, and LGBTQ+ rights grounds, a poll by the New Weather Institute has found.
FIFA feeds its Messi-mania addiction with world’s Best Player nomination
November 29 – Lionel Messi may have had a stellar career and been the world’s best player for many illustrious years, but at 37, does he still genuinely merit being nominated by FIFA for their Best Player award or has the organisation thrown his name into the hat just to make sure they have all bases covered?
Germany return to world top 10 ranking as UEFA nations dominate
November 29 – With Germany returning to the top 10 of the world rankings, European nations now occupy eight of the top 10 slots, with only South American giants Argentina (ranked 1) and Brazil (5) breaking the European dominance.
Danish MEPs criticise FIFA’s ‘closed doors’ World Cup decision making and suggest boycott
November 28 – Following in the footsteps of the two US senators, Daniel Freund and Niels Fuglsang, Members of the European Parliament have sounded the alarm bell over FIFA and a 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA launch $50m Qatar 2022 legacy fund but no mention of migrant workers
November 28 – FIFA has launched a $50 million legacy fund for social programmes in collaboration with 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. However, the elephant in the room remains whether FIFA will establish a compensation mechanism for migrant workers?
ITUC Africa makes UN complaint over human rights abuse ahead of Saudi 2034 hosting award
November 27 – With just weeks until FIFA formally award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, ITUC Africa and other leading trade unions have sounded the alarm bell over the treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia with a complaint at the United Nations.
FIFA and Mythical Games to launch ‘Rivals’ derivative
November 27 – FIFA has teamed up with Mythical Games in a significant move taking it deeper into the gaming industry with the launch a new video game ‘FIFA Rivals’, two years after its licensing deal with EA Sports formally ended.
Human rights concerns: US senators urge FIFA nations not to award 2034 World Cup to Saudi
November 26 – Two United States senators have urged FIFA not to pick Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host because of the country’s human rights record.
‘Quo Vadis football?’ Blatter says FIFA’s thirst for cash is ‘selling-out’ the game
November 26 – Sepp Blatter may be yesterday’s man but from time to time the former FIFA president still gets on his soap box to decry everything that is wrong with the organisation under its current leadership and says the game is being sold out.
Alcoholic relief: AB InBev signs on as Club World Cup’s second sponsor
November 26 – FIFA has signed its second sponsor for the 2025 Club World Cup in the US that is now just over six months away.
Costa Rica’s Alajuelense demands CWC slot saying FIFA is breaking its own club ownership rules
November 22 – One of Costa Rica’s leading clubs has accused FIFA of breaking its own rules and is threatening legal action unless it is given in a slot in next year’s 32-team Club World Cup which is seemingly becoming more contentious with every passing week.
Qatar hosts club visits ahead of Intercontinental Cup finale next month
November 22 – With the noisy discontent around FIFA’s new Club World Cup competition often at deafening levels, it old Club World Cup – rebranded as the FIFA Intercontinental Cup – is gently progressing to its finals stage, December 11-18 in Qatar.