FIFA President
FIFA supremo urges restraint in punishing Super League clubs
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is not in favour of sanctions against the 12 clubs that tried to launch a European Super League, preferring “dialogue” on football reform. The plan to create a closed competition was “unacceptable” and “unimaginable”, the world football boss told French sports daily L’Equipe in an interview published on Wednesday. “Certain actions should have consequences, and everyone must assume their responsibilities,” said Infantino, who has publically joined the opposition to the project. “But you always have to be careful when you talk about sanctions. “It’s said quickly that you have to punish. It’s even popular — or populist — sometimes. “By punishing a club, for example, you are also punishing players, coaches and fans, who have nothing to do with it.” He sa...
FIFA chief to break silence as Super League plunges Europe into crisis
FIFA president Gianni Infantino is expected to deliver his verdict on the European Super League on Tuesday after the widely condemned breakaway competition triggered threats of legal action and punitive measures. European body UEFA will look to support from the world football chief at its congress in Switzerland as it attempts to quash an initiative that threatens its prized Champions League and the health of domestic competitions such as England’s Premier League. Twelve powerful clubs – six from England, and three each from Spain and Italy – have signed up for the Super League, which offers guaranteed spots for its founding members and billions of dollars in payments. Currently, clubs have to qualify for the Champions League each year through their national competitions, and face a length...
Véron Mosengo-Omba appointed CAF general secretary
FIFA has confirmed that Véron Mosengo-Omba will leave his role as Chief Officer of the FIFA member associations (MAs) division with immediate effect to take on the position of CAF General Secretary. Mr Mosengo-Omba initially joined FIFA in 2016 as Director MAs with responsibility for Africa and the Caribbean, and subsequently spent the past two years supporting all FIFA 211 MAs to implement the FIFA Forward development programme, as well as managing relationships with all FIFA MAs and continental confederations in his role as Chief Officer of the division. A native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mr Mosengo-Omba was particularly involved in supporting the 54 African MAs in their FIFA Forward projects, in the development of youth and women’s football throughout the continent, and i...
FIFA exco: Delta sports commission boss congratulates NFF supremo
Chief Tonobok Okowa, Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission, has congratulated Amaju Pinnick, his predecessor and current President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over his victory as a member of the FIFA Council in the just concluded Confederation of African Football (CAF) Elections. Chief Tonobok who expressed joy over the victory said it’s a win for all. Chief Tonobok said, “A warm congratulations to my brother my friend, a son of the soil. He is a goal getter.” He added, “Amaju Pinnick victory is a victory for all in Delta State, Nigeria and Africa. The victory will bring a new height to the development of our Football, we now have a strong voice in the Apex body of football.” Meanwhile, South Africa’s business mogul, Dr Patrice Motsepe, was elected the new CAF president. Dr. Motse...
FIFA accusations against Sepp Blatter baseless – lawyer
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter vehemently denies an allegation against him of criminal mismanagement relating to a museum project set up under his leadership, his lawyer said on Tuesday. “The accusations are baseless and are vehemently repudiated,” Lorenz Erni said in statement. Mr Blatter, 84, has continued to deny any allegation of financial impropriety against him by the world football association. Recall that according to documents reportedly seen by the PA news agency, FIFA had stated that, “Following a detailed review of historic facts and circumstances concerning the construction and on-going operational costs of the FIFA Museum, FIFA has become aware of many serious irregularities regarding this project, which raise strong suspicions of criminal misconduct on the part of variou...
FIFA lodges fresh criminal complaints against Sepp Blatter
Getty Images FIFA has lodged a criminal complaint against former president Joseph “Sepp” Blatter over the finances of a museum in Zurich, Switzerland bringing the name of the ex-President into the fray. The football world governing body lodged the complaint on Tuesday. The involvement of Bladder and other former officials in the FIFA museum project is the crux of the latest allegation of financial impropriety against the 84-year-old, who resigned from his post as president in 2015 amid a corruption scandal. The Swiss have always denied any wrongdoing. However, football’s world governing body allege that Blatter’s administration cost them £420m in renovation costs for “a building that the organisation doesn’t own”, while also “locking itself into a long-term rental agreement on unfavourable...
FIFA president tests positive for coronavirus
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has tested positive for coronavirus, the world football governing body announced on Tuesday. Infantino has been confirmed to have contracted the virus and is now entering a period of self-isolation. The 50-year-old is said to have shown just ‘mild symptoms’ of Covid-19, and all those who have come into contact with him in previous days are said to have been informed. In a statement by FIFA it was outlined that Infantino will remain in complete isolation for ‘at least ten days.’ The statement read: “FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received confirmation today that he has tested positive for coronavirus. “The FIFA president, who has reported mild symptoms, has immediately placed himself in self-isolation and will remain in quarantine for at least ten days. ...
FIFA, WHO, EU launch campaign to help domestic violence victims amid coronavirus lockdown
FIFA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission have announced the #SafeHome campaign designed to support women and children at risk of domestic violence during the coronavirus pandemic. With many families all over the world quarantined during the pandemic, there have been spikes in recent reports of domestic violence as at-risk women and children are forced into dangerous situations at home. The three organisations have launched a five-part video campaign designed to raise awareness, with several past and present footballing stars taking part. Among the players featured are Alvaro Arbeloa, Rosana Augusto, Vítor Baia, Khalilou Fadiga, Matthias Ginter, David James, Annike Krahn, Marco Materazzi, Milagros Menendez, Noemi Pascotto, Graham Potter, Mikael Silvestre, Kelly ...
