FIFA promotes Jean-Marie to boss MA relations
March 24 – Kenny Jean-Marie is FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer, replacing Veron Mosengo-Omba who has just joined the Confederation of African Football as its general secretary.
FIFA
FIFA insures 2022 World Cup for $900m
By David Owen
March 22 – FIFA has secured insurance for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The disclosure comes in the small print of the governing body’s newly-published 2020 financial statements. FIFA said the “maximum insurance volume” was $900 million.
South American bid favourite to host 2030 World Cup, China bid encouraged
By Andrew Warshaw
March 22 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he wants as many bids as possible for the 2030 World Cup and has not ruled out China even though South America is an early favourite to land the tournament.
FIFA headcount surges beyond 1,000 as governing body confirms $778m covid hit
By David Owen
March 21 – In these volatile and unnerving times for sport, it is good to know there are still some things one can depend on: for example, that the headcount at Gianni Infantino’s FIFA will continue to rise year after year.
Infantino tells European clubs to stop abusing rules and release players for national duty
By Andrew Warshaw
March 19 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino today called on clubs, mainly those in Europe, not to take unfair advantage of the relaxation of the rules concerning the release of players for the March international programme.
More Sudan complaints suggest long term FIFA cover-up of a committed supporter
By Paul Nicholson
March 19 – Details have surfaced of yet another complaint by a member of the Sudan FA – this one made in November 2019 – and sent to FIFA protesting ethics violations by SFA president, Dr. Kamal Shaddad, who last month was blessed by a visit from FIFA president Gianni Infantino prior to the CAF electoral congress and the installation of Patrice Motsepe as CAF president.
Platini to give witness evidence in Infantino criminal case
March 17 – Former UEFA president Michel Platini spent six hours in front of a Swiss prosecutor as a suspect on Monday – but today was due to appear as a witness in a separate case against his nemesis, FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
FIFA’s Wenger bangs drum for more World Cups and to ‘kick out’ confederation comps
March 17 – Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s chief of global football development, is calling for an overhaul of the entire calendar – including holding the World Cup and Euros every two years.
Russian doping: FIFA opens cases against three players for alleged 2013 offences
March 16 – FIFA has opened disciplinary cases against three Russian footballers for suspected doping violations that happened in 2013.
FIFA links with UNODC for match-fixing educational programme
March 16 – FIFA is intensifying its fight against match-fixing by linking up with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) over its Global Integrity Programme.
Gianni’s jet: Federal court rules out witness evidence but criminal case not grounded
March 12 – After a series of legal losses in his battle against criminal prosecution in Switzerland, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had a win yesterday when the Swiss Federal Criminal Court ruled in favour of one of four complaints Infantino’s legal team had made in December 2020.
Former Welsh player and board-hardened McAllister sets sights on FIFA Council seat
By Andrew Warshaw
March 12 – Laura McAllister is under no illusions about her chances of success when she bids to become European football’s female representative on the FIFA Council next month.
Swiss refuse, again, release of investigation file to Infantino before his criminal hearing
March 9 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino was struck another legal blow in the criminal case against him in Switzerland with the Swiss Federal Criminal Court ruling he can’t have access to the investigation file into his case.
IFAB to trial new offside rule in China
March 8 – Having already agreed to tweak the handball rule following a clamour for change from fans and pundits alike football’s lawmakers are also set to trial what would be the biggest revamping of the offside law for a century.
Infantino denies meddling in CAF elections, but says CAF has had ‘some difficult times’
By Andrew Warshaw
March 5 – With exactly one week to go before African football chooses its next leader, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended his recent tour of the Continent to meet with the candidates, denying he has in any way been meddling in the election process.