New York court awards Concacaf $79m in Warner case, but extradition still the big issue
By Paul Nicholson
July 11 – A New York judge has awarded a $79 million default judgement against Jack Warner and in favour of Concacaf.
Integrity
Infantino and Macron booed at France 2019 final as fans and players demand equality
July 7 – Gianni Infantino’s attempt to gain the moral high ground by drawing on the success of the women’s World Cup backfired somewhat on Sunday when he was booed ahead of the World Cup final between the United States and Netherlands.
Infantino say FIFA does take sexual abuse ‘very seriously’
July 7 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly rejected allegations that he has personally not done enough to tackle the sexual abuse scandal pervading Afghan women’s football.
FIFA attacks Lindsey in bid to take the moral high ground on sexual abuse
July 5 – FIFA has gone on the attack following stinging criticism of its alleged lack of action to deal with the scourge of sexual abuse pervading the women’s game.
Blatter serving his time ‘peacefully’, but wants disrespectful Gianni to give his watches back
July 5 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he is “living in peace” despite his ban from the world game but has accused his critics, notably his successor Gianni Infantino, of showing “no respect” for his 41 years at the organisation including 17 in charge.
FIFA happy to count WWC cash but they are not doing enough to stop sexual abuse, says Lindsey
By Andrew Warshaw
July 4 – Afghanistan women’s coach Kelly Lindsey, one of those who blew the lid on sexual abuse by the country’s federation chief and others, has blasted FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of not doing nearly far enough to stamp out the scourge.
Brooklyn judge awards upwards of $20m against Warner in his absence
June 26 – A Brooklyn court has awarded Concacaf potentially upwards of $20 million in damages against its former president Jack Warner.
UEFA sign sports integrity co-operation with SIGA
June 25 – The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) has signed its first co-operation agreement with a football confederation, agreeing with UEFA “to encourage dialogue aimed at safeguarding the long-term integrity of the game in Europe.”
SIGA to host Special Session on Female Leadership in Paris, June 28
June 24 – SIGA is to a host a Special Session addressing the importance of Female Leadership in Sport at the Sorbonne University, June 28.
Ceferin refuses to be railroaded into support of Infantino’s move on Africa
By Paul Nicholson
June 20 – The corruption-riddled, ungoverned FIFA-fiefdom that Africa has become has now impacted on the offices of the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino. In an act of demagoguery that may come to define his leadership, and in order to protect his own powerbase, FIFA has stepped in to take charge of Africa.
LaLiga and AFDP Global combine to educate youth in Zaatari refugee camp
June 20 – LaLiga has implemented a socio-educational programme at the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, linking up with AFDP Global, the international football social enterprise, to help enhance the quality of life of young refugees using football as a tool for change.
Swiss court rules Lauber and Infantino powwows point to bias and collusion
June 18 – The Swiss investigation into FIFA corruption looks to be collapsing following a ruling by the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona which declared Federal Prosecutor Michael Lauber’s secret meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino give the appearance of bias.
AFDP Global calls on FIFA to hunt deeper in Afghan FA for sexual abusers
June 14 – AFDP Global, the international social enterprise set up to use football as a tool for change in deprived communities, has welcomed FIFA’s ground-breaking move to ban former Afghan FA president Keramuudin Karim for life for sexual abuse.
Man City battle to stay in Champions League with CAS appeal to block UEFA ban proposal
June 7 – Manchester City, desperate not to be punished by UEFA as they chase winning Europe’s premier club trophy, have filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to block UEFA’s pursuit of a Champions League ban for violating Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
With Hazard having one foot out the door, Chelsea go to CAS in attempt to lift transfer ban
June 7 – Reportedly about to lose their star player Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, Chelsea have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against being slapped with a two-window transfer ban by FIFA after being found guilty in February of illegally signing no fewer than 29 under-age foreign players.