FIFA

Former Guam FA President banned by FIFA

Lai, who is also a former member of the FIFA audit and compliance committee, resigned his position with the Guam FA earlier this year after pleading guilty to wire fraud and banking crime in connection with a bribery scandal.

He received a provisional 90-day ban from all football activities from FIFA's Independent Ethics Committee in April.

Former Nicaraguan Football Association president Julio Rocha and ex Venezuelan Football Association president Rafael Esquivel have also been banned by the game's governing body.

 

 

 

World Cup hacking worries

England has told players, coaches and technical staff to avoid using public wi-fi networks over concerns sensitive personal and team information could be illegally obtained in Russia, a person with knowledge of the FA's World Cup planning said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because team security issues are private.

Emails between the FA and Fifa discussing doping cases were last month published by the Russian-linked hacking group, Fancy Bears, as part of a wider disclosure of illegally obtained information.

FIFA probe Neymar bonus complaint

Barca are refusing to pay €26million, which was included in the contract extension he signed with the club last October, to the Brazil star and his father.

The club say that Neymar was in breach of the terms of that contract when he negotiated with Paris Saint-Germain prior to his world-record €222m transfer, meaning the clause in the deal stipulating the bonus is null and void.

Neymar's father, who also acts as his agent, accused Barca of "blackmail" in their refusal to pay and FIFA is now looking into the matter.

The biggest e-sports event in the world

It's the biggest event of its kind in the world with a prize pool of nearly $24m (£18.4m) and is hosted by Valve.

Sixteen teams, with players from all over the world, are competing in the season climax for online battle arena game Dota 2.

For many of them the prestige of lifting the trophy at this ultra-competitive event is far more important than the cash.

Alex "machine" Richardson is Dota 2's answer to Gary Lineker and has been hosting the live stream of the group stages, which are taking place in Seattle.

FIFA investigating Pogba's Juventus transfer

World football's governing body had asked both clubs for information about Pogba's world record $156 million transfer from Juventus, following leaks which claimed to give details about the huge deal.

A book titled, "The Football Leaks: The Dirty Business of Football" alleged Pogba's agent Mino Raiola had made over $62 million from the deal, $42 million of which was paid by Juventus.

Fifa fines England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland over poppies

England and Scotland players wore armbands featuring the symbol when they met at Wembley on 11 November.

Wales and Northern Ireland's respective games featured displays on the pitch or in the stands to mark the event.

England's Football Association will appeal against the fine of 45,000 Swiss francs (£35,311), with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland yet to decide.

Scotland and Wales were both fined 20,000 Sfr (£15,694), and Northern Ireland 15,000 Sfr (£11,770).

FIFA facing legal action over Qatar's migrant workers

Paperwork was filed by the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV) on behalf of a Bangladeshi migrant worker, Nadim Sharaful Alam, in a case first highlighted by the Guardian in October.

"The Swiss court is asked to rule that FIFA acted wrongfully by selecting Qatar for the World Cup 2022 without demanding the assurance that Qatar observes fundamental human and labor rights of migrant construction workers, including the abolition of the Kafala system," read a FNV statement, referring to the scheme which marries an immigrant employee to the employer.

FIFA applauds host nation

Deputy chairwoman of the FIFA organising committee, Sonia Bien Aime, gave closing remarks on the tournament, saying she would like to commend the fans and supporters.

“I have been to many and I must admit that I was blown away and surprised, even I was told that the people are friendly, but what I have seen in the stadium is just amazing,” she said.

She added that she really didn’t know what to expect when she got here.

FIFA to rebrand player of the year

The annual ceremony in Zurich, which until last year was jointly organised with France Football and known as the Ballon d'Or, would be renamed "The Best FIFA Football Awards" following a split with the French magazine, a FIFA statement said.

Under the new system, half the votes would belong to the players and coaches of the world's 211 national teams and half to the public, who will take part via an online ballot, and selected media representatives.

Former Samoa Football CEO appointed to top FIFA role

She will lead the newly created Women's Football Division as part of FIFA's management board.

A former Samoan women's international, Bareman was the Finance Officer and then CEO of the Samoa Football Federation.

She then took up a role as Operations Manager of the Oceania Football Confederation before being promoted to the role of OFC Deputy Secretary General.