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Tag: FA

  • Togolese FA official gets life ban for bribery

    Togolese Football Association official Kokou Hougnimon Fagla has been banned from all football-related activities for life after being found guilty of accepting bribes to manipulate an international friendly.

    World football ruling body FIFA said on Wednesday that Fagla, who is also a referee, had taken bribes in violation of the organisation’s code of ethics.

    “The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Mr Kokou Hougnimon Fagla… guilty of having accepted bribes to manipulate an international friendly match,” FIFA said in a statement.

    “The formal ethics proceedings against Mr Fagla….stemmed from an extensive investigation into various international matches that Mr Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes.”

    Fagla was also fined 3,000 Swiss francs (2,270.7 pounds).

  • Mourinho escapes FA charge over abusive language use

    Mourinho escapes FA charge over abusive language use

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has escaped punishment after a Football Association charge of using foul language following his side’s win over Newcastle United was found to have not been proven.
    The Portuguese coach was reported to have directed an insult in his native language towards a camera.
    The equipment was live tracking him down the touchline after his side’s 3-2 comeback win in the English Premier League at Old Trafford earlier this month.
    “A charge against Jose Mourinho for allegedly using language which was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper has been found not proven.
    “This followed an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today,” the FA said in a statement on Wednesday.
    “Written reasons for the decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission will be published in due course. This decision is subject to appeal.”
    Since their victory over Newcastle United, Manchester United have picked up four points from two games to move up to eighth in the league standings.
    Reuters/NAN

  • Ex-Brazilian FA boss Marin jailed for four years for corruption

    A former head of Brazil’s football association has been jailed for four years for corruption.

    Jose Maria Marin, 86, was one of seven Fifa officials arrested at a hotel in Zurich in May 2015.

    He was convicted of accepting bribes from sports marketing companies in exchange for contracts to broadcast tournaments such as the Copa America.

    In addition, Marin was fined $1.2m (£920,000) and ordered to forfeit $3.34m (£2.59m).

    He was sentenced in a Brooklyn federal court by judge Pamela Chen and he is the first official to be sentenced as part of an American investigation into corruption at Fifa.

    Marin, a former governor of Sao Paulo, was last year found guilty of six of the seven counts against him, relating to money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy.

    He was convicted alongside Juan Angel Napout, who led South America’s football governing body Conmebol. He will be sentenced at a later date.

    Peru’s Manuel Burga was cleared of taking bribes by a jury in the USA.

    Marin’s lawyers say he will appeal against the sentence.

    BBC

  • FA defends Raheem Sterling over gun tattoo row

    The Football Association has offered its support to Raheem Sterling after the England forward revealed a tattoo of a gun on his right leg.

    The Manchester City player, 23, said the tattoo had a “deeper meaning”after criticism from anti-gun campaigners.

    Sterling said on Instagram it reflected a vow to “never touch a gun” after his father was shot dead when he was a boy.

    An FA spokesperson said: “We all support Sterling and acknowledge the honest and heartfelt account he gave.”

    The statement added: “He and the rest of the squad are focused solely on preparing for the forthcoming World Cup.”

    Sterling, who will travel to Russia this summer as part of England’s World Cup squad, revealed his tattoo on Instagram in a photo of himself training with team-mates at St George’s Park.

    In a later post, he wrote: “When I was two my father died from being gunned down to death. I made a promise to myself I would never touch a gun in my lifetime.

    “I shoot with my right foot so it has a deeper meaning.”

    He added that the tattoo was unfinished.

    According to previous reports, Sterling's father was killed in Kingston, Jamaica. He posted his message after The Sun newspaper ran a story in which Lucy Cope, who founded the Mothers Against Guns group after her son was shot dead in 2012, said Sterling should not play for England unless he gets rid of the tattoo. After scoring 18 goals to help Manchester City win the Premier League title, he is expected to be one of England's key players at the World Cup. He has previously asked fans to "give love" to the team ahead of the tournament, adding: "I feel sometimes there is too much negativity. I would love to hear some positive notes coming in, just to let the boys know everyone is behind them." Former England player-turned-pundit Gary Lineker said Sterling was "a terrific footballer with a brilliant work ethic", and called The Sun's treatment of him "disgusting". England begin their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on 18 June.

    According to previous reports, Sterling’s father was killed in Kingston, Jamaica.

    He posted his message after The Sun newspaper ran a story in which Lucy Cope, who founded the Mothers Against Guns group after her son was shot dead in 2012, said Sterling should not play for England unless he gets rid of the tattoo.

    After scoring 18 goals to help Manchester City win the Premier League title, he is expected to be one of England’s key players at the World Cup.

    He has previously asked fans to “give love” to the team ahead of the tournament, adding: “I feel sometimes there is too much negativity. I would love to hear some positive notes coming in, just to let the boys know everyone is behind them.”

    Former England player-turned-pundit Gary Lineker said Sterling was “a terrific footballer with a brilliant work ethic”, and called The Sun’s treatment of him “disgusting”.

    England begin their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on 18 June.

     

  • England’s FA in negotiations to sell famous Wembley Stadium

    England’s Football Association is in negotiations to sell Wembley Stadium, the home of the national soccer team, to U.S. billionaire Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

    A spokesman for the FA confirmed on Thursday it had received an offer to buy the stadium and British media said the deal could be worth up to 1 billion pounds ($1.40 billion).

    Under the plan, the FA would keep Wembley as the main venue for major matches, including England internationals and the FA Cup Final, but the national soccer team could play elsewhere in October and November due to clashes with the U.S. National Football League (NFL) season.

    In a statement Khan said his bid was not a precursor to moving the Jaguars, who have played one home NFL game per season at Wembley since 2013, to London permanently.

    “For the Jaguars, it would deliver another – and very significant – asset and local revenue source that would further strengthen our investment in London,” Khan who is also the owner of English second tier soccer team Fulham, said.

    “Today’s news changes none of what we envision for the long-term promise for the Jaguars here in Jax, and it changes nothing as to the goals we have for your downtown.”

    British media reported that Khan, who is worth $7.2 billion according to Forbes, is ready to pay more than 500 million pounds.

    He would also allow the FA to keep the Club Wembley debenture and hospitality business that is valued at a further 300 million pounds.

    The 90,000-seater stadium was rebuilt at a cost of 757 million pounds on the site of the original ground where England won the World Cup in 1966.

    The new stadium opened in 2007 and the FA said last January it would repay its debt, which was reported by the Evening Standard to be 142 million pounds, by 2024.

    The money from the sale of Wembley would allow the governing body to reinvest in the English game’s grassroots, particularly pitches, and stage more England games way from the capital, a plan to which it is already committed.

    Alfie Crow, Jaguars fan and editor of Big Cat Country, a blog covering the Jaguars, downplayed suggestions that the deal could herald a permanent move to London for the NFL team.

    “I think the signals of the Jaguars relocating to London are premature and very assumptive at this point,” he told Reuters.

    “Khan has invested a lot in the areas around the NFL stadium in Jacksonville with plans to develop even more around it, so it would be millions of dollars down the drain if the ultimate plan was simply to rip the team away as all of that comes to fruition. For now, I view it as just a value investment with a lot of potential return for Khan.”
    Reuters

     

  • BREAKING: FA fines Guardiola £20,000 over Catalan ribbon protest

    Manchester City Manager, Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 and warned regarding his future conduct after accepting a Football Association charge of wearing a “political message”.

    The count related to the Manchester City manager’s wearing of a yellow ribbon in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians during his side’s FA Cup defeat at Wigan Athletic on 19 February. Guardiola’s deposition pointed out that he had the ribbon covered before half-time and it only became visible accidentally during the second half.

    An FA statement said: “Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct after admitting an FA charge for wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon, in breach of The FA’s kit and advertising regulation.”

    The Catalan may continue to wear the ribbon for his pre- and post-game media duties but it remains to be seen if he will ensure it is covered during his 90 minutes on the touchline. The regulation refers to this time period.

    The ribbon is in support of prisoners in Catalonia following November’s referendum regarding independence for the region.

    Meanwhile, Guardiola has admitted he does not like playing on Mondays before City’s visit to Stoke. The last time City were in action on a Monday evening was their defeat at Wigan, though the manager says his aversion to playing a day or two after everyone else dates back to his time with Barcelona.

    “It’s nothing to do with Wigan – the reason we lost there was that for 50 minutes it was 10 v 11 and we were not precise enough to find a goal,” Guardiola said. “I just prefer to play at the weekend, when all the other teams are playing. I have had some bad experiences on Mondays.”

    Guardiola will take the opportunity of a blank Saturday to watch Manchester United v Liverpool, partly because United are among City’s next opponents. “We play them in two or three weeks so I intend to take a look,” the manager said, “But it is a big derby, an English classic, the history of both teams is amazing.”

    Should United lose at Old Trafford the possibility exists that City could be crowned champions before the Manchester derby at the Etihad, though Guardiola does not like to look too far ahead. “The distance [we are ahead] is not normal in the beginning of March; it’s almost done but we are not the champions,” he said. “The champions are still Chelsea. We have to get the points as soon as possible, knowing that we have the opportunity. We need to be focused because Stoke away is always difficult. They are fighting to stay in the Premier League, and any time you are up against a team like that it is complicated.”

  • Pep Guardiola accepts FA charge for wearing yellow ribbon

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has accepted a Football Association charge over “wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon”.

    Guardiola had until 18:00 GMT today to respond to a charge of breaching the FA’s kit and advertising regulations.

    In November, Guardiola said he wears the ribbon to support imprisoned politicians in his native Catalonia.

    The FA spoke to the City boss about the situation in December and had previously issued two formal warnings.

    Action was taken though when he wore it pitchside – he is free to wear it elsewhere – during City’s FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Wigan on 19 February.

    Two key members of the Catalan independence movement, Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, were held without bail after an independence vote in October, which the Spanish government deemed illegal.

    Guardiola said in November: “If one day in prison was already too much, look how many days they’ve been there now.

    “Like everybody knows, hopefully sooner or later I can stop wearing it.

    “All the politicians that are in prison, I hope they can leave and go back home soon with their families and continue living the lives they deserve.”

     

    BBC

  • FA charges Guardiola for wearing yellow ribbon during matches

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been charged by the English FA for wearing a yellow ribbon during matches.

    His action is in apparent protest against the imprisonment of pro-independence politicians in his native Catalonia.

    The former FC Barcelona manager has sported the ribbon in Manchester City’s England Premier League matches as well as games in domestic and European cup competitions this season.

    He has until March 5 to respond to the charges, an FA statement said on Friday.

    It added that the ribbon had breached the FA’s kit and advertising regulations.

    In December, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was asked to explain comments he made before the derby match against Manchester City.

    The comments had included doubts whether he would be allowed to make political statements like the Spaniard.

  • Pep Guardiola charged by the FA for wearing yellow ribbon in support of Catalonian

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been charged by the Football Association for “wearing a political message, specifically a yellow ribbon”.

    The FA said in a statement the yellow ribbon worn by the former Barcelona boss on his jacket in support of imprisoned Catalan politicians was in breach of its kit and advertising regulations.

    The FA said in a statement he has until 6pm on Monday, March 5, 2018 to respond to the charge.

    The 47-year-old, who was born in the Catalan town of Santpedor and spent the best part of 20 years at Barcelona as player and coach, has previously explained his reasons for wearing the ribbon, which he has sported since at least November.

    Speaking in December, he said: “I do that because in Spain two specific people who defend something like the vote, something the people in command do not agree [with], are in prison. It’s unfair.

    “To make a rebellion on something like that, you have to be something tough to be in prison. And they are still there. So, while they are not out, always here [points to ribbon] will be shared with me.

    “Because, OK, they can suspend me for doing that, but the other people are in jail.

    “If they want to suspend me – UEFA, Premier League, FIFA – it’s OK.”

    Guardiola was specifically referring to politicians who were imprisoned for their involvement in the Catalonia independence referendum, which was declared illegal by Spain, in October.

    The City boss explained his stance in response to comments from Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, who questioned whether the ribbon was within the rules and claimed he would not be allowed to do a similar thing.

     

  • Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger charged by FA after West Brom draw

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger charged by FA after West Brom draw

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged by the Football Association over comments made to match officials after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at West Brom.

    The Frenchman was angry after referee Mike Dean gave the Baggies a last-minute penalty, which they scored.

    It is alleged the 68-year-old’s conduct in the match officials’ changing room was abusive and that he questioned the integrity of the referee.

    Wenger has until 18:00 GMT on Friday to respond to the charge.

    With just a minute remaining at The Hawthorns, Calum Chambers was penalised after Kieran Gibbs pushed the ball onto his arm, but Wenger felt his player had not deliberately handled.

    Football’s laws state handball must be a “deliberate act” and the distance between the opponent and ball should be considered. Chambers was standing about two metres from Gibbs.

    Speaking on Tuesday, before the charge was announced, Wenger said: “It was very disappointing.

    “What is more frustrating for me is it happened many times this season – at Stoke, Watford, Man City, now West Brom.

    “It is a concerning coincidence for me. That is why as well I was not at all happy with the movement the referee made as to why he gave the penalty. It did not correspond at all with what happened.

    “On that front, it’s a bit worrying.”

    Last January, Wenger was given a four-match touchline ban by the FA after being found guilty of misconduct after an incident with fourth official Anthony Taylor during a league game against Burnley.

    Wenger’s side, who are fifth in the Premier League, host third-placed Chelsea on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

    BBC Sports