Sakho doping case opens rift between UEFA and WADA
By Andrew Warshaw
April 21 – UEFA and the World anti-doping Agency have come to blows over French international Mamadou Sakho’s wrongly applied drugs ban last year.
Integrity
Seraing and Doyen lose CAS appeal over TPO, but recruitment ban reduced
April 11 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) have finally released a statement upholding FIFA’s recruitment ban on Belgian club RFC Seraing for breaching third-party ownership rules – but has confirmed is has reduced the sanction from four transfer windows to three.
Internacional to play in Serie B after CAS refuses to judge on claims against Vitoria
By Samindra Kunti
April 7 – The Court of Arbitration CAS has dismissed an appeal lodged by Brazil’s Internacional over Vitoria Da Bahia’s problems with the player’s registration of Victor Ramos. The decision confirms Internacional’s relegation to Brazil’s Serie B.
USSF agrees pay deal with women’s game ahead of NWSL kick off
April 6 – The long-running and often bitter dispute between the US Soccer Federation and the country’s top female players over wage discrimination has ended.
Chung heads for CAS claiming Blatter’s buddies are still running the show
By Andrew Warshaw
April 6 – As he prepares to try and clear his name at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an embittered Chung Mong-joon says Sepp Blatter’s legacy still pervades FIFA and that he has been treated maliciously by FIFA’s ethics committee.
Liverpool hit with fine and academy recruitment ban after trying to poach Stoke player
April 6 – Liverpool have been fined £100,000 by the Premier League and handed a two-year ban on signing academy players from other English clubs for breaking strict recruitment rules.
Irish women call off strike after deal agreed with FAI over working conditions
April 6 – Twenty-four hours after threatening to go on strike in a row over working conditions the Republic of Ireland’s women’s team have reached agreement with the national federation (FAI) following lengthy mediation talks.
English FA council passes reform package to go before full membership
April 4 – Members of the English Football Association’s council have unanimously backed a package of governance reforms proposed by the governing body’s board aimed at enhancing diversity.
Politically correct? Lahm caught left field and fails to see April Fool funny side
April 4 – A Munich-based business has been forced to apologise to Germany’s former captain Philipp Lahm after he reportedly threatened legal action following an April Fool’s joke claiming he had invested in them.
Net closing on Radmann and Beckenbauer as more suspect payments discovered
By Andrew Warshaw
April 3 – Yet another potentially significant twist has emerged in the 2006 World Cup scandal that continues to heap suspicion on those who organised the tournament in Germany.
Quinn Emanuel end internal FIFA probe with passing of evidence to US and Swiss law
By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – FIFA’s hugely expensive 22-month internal investigation into the bribery and corruption that brought the organisation to its knees has been officially wound up, with mountains of potentially incriminating evidence passed to Swiss law enforcement authorities.
A political football. New CAF chief Ahmad quits Madagascan Senate
By Andrew Warshaw
March 23 – The new leader of African football held a senior political role at the time he was elected last week, throwing into question whether FIFA should have allowed him to stand against Issa Hayatou.
ICSS develop Trusted Athlete App as tool to safeguard against banned substances
March 16 – The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) is developing a mobile app for athletes that will alert them to any potential doping issues in medication they are taking.
CAS describes Blatter’s career ending CHF2m payment to Platini as a ‘reckless’ gift
By Andrew Warshaw
March 14 – Several months after upholding a six-year ban on Sepp Blatter, bringing an inglorious end to the colourful and controversial career of the former FIFA president, the Court of Arbitration has rubbed salt in his wounds with an unwanted belated 81st birthday present.
SIGA push the integrity agenda at EU Sport Forum
March 13 – The EU Sport Forum in Malta last week was another opportunity for the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) to drive forward its programme of sports governance and integrity recommendations for sport, as well as increase its own credentials as an independent coalition of sports organisation.