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Tag: Fifa

  • FIFA president, Infantino warns corrupt football leaders

    FIFA president, Infantino warns corrupt football leaders

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino has warned football association leaders not to use money meant for the sport, for their own gain.

    Infantino said in an interview in Mauritania, making it clear that if there are any football federation leaders who want to enrich themselves with football money, they will be caught and sanctioned.

    “No one should think of using football money for his own gains,’’ Infantino stressed.

    The FIFA President was in Nouakchott, Mauritania to attend the seventh FIFA Executive Football Summit.
    Infantino said that with the increased funds FIFA is giving to its member associations, there is also increased evaluation and monitoring.

    “We are asking each football federation to sign a contract with FIFA that focuses on accountability.

    “We are monitoring and auditing centrally to make sure funds are used appropriately,’’ he added.

    Infantino also mentioned the merits of having FIFA summits take place all over the world.

    According to him, the summits are organised so that football leaders can come and discuss issues instead of coming to FIFA congresses to simply endorse things they do not understand.

    “I wanted to change the aspect of football associations just endorsing views during FIFA assemblies.

    “Instead I want them to come and sit down and discuss football freely together with the FIFA President,’’ he added.

    The summit in Mauritania that ended on Sunday discussed a range of issues pertaining to football, with the focus being on the FIFA Forward program as well as youth and women’s competitions.

    The series of summits was launched in Paris in November 2016 by Infantino, who made it clear that the beautiful game can only develop successfully if FIFA cooperates closely and communicates regularly with its 211 member associations.

    Since then, 12 strategic summits have been held around the globe in the 2016 to 2017 series, with approximately 20 member associations discussing predefined topics and inspiring each other at each event.

  • Former FIFA chief Blatter against video evidence at World Cup

    Former FIFA chief Blatter against video evidence at World Cup

    Former FIFA President Joseph Blatter has spoken out against using video evidence at Russia 2018 World Cup as teething problems continue to trail trials in countries such as Germany.

    “You cannot use the World Cup as a guinea pig for such a serious intervention in the game,’’ Blatter said in an interview with Wednesday’s Sport Bild magazine.

    Blatter, 81, was banned from football for eight years in 2015 by the FIFA ethics committee over a “disloyal payment” of 2 million Swiss francs (2.07 million dollars).

    The payment was made to former European football chief Michel Platini.

    The FIFA appeals committee later reduced the suspension to six years, while Platini is serving a four-year ban.

    Blatter’s administration was sceptical of technological innovations during his 17 years as president of the world governing body.

    But he finally advocated goalline technology for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after refereeing errors four years earlier in South Africa.

    “It would be wrong to use video evidence in Russia, it is too immature and many countries still use it differently,’’ Blatter said.

     

  • FIFA receives Atletico complaint over alleged Griezmann approach

    FIFA receives Atletico complaint over alleged Griezmann approach

    Football ruling body FIFA has confirmed receiving a complaint from Atletico Madrid who say Spanish league leaders FC Barcelona have illegally contacted their forward Antoine Griezmann.

    “We have received a complaint from Atletico Madrid about Griezmann’s case,’’ a FIFA spokesman told newsmen on Wednesday, without commenting further on the case.

    The 26-year-old Frenchman Griezmann renewed his contract at Atletico in summer until 2022.

    According to FIFA rules, he cannot be approached by interested clubs until the final six months of his contract.

    Spanish news reports said Atletico have proof that Griezmann has been contacted by Barca over a possible transfer.

    Reports also said that Atletico were not seeking compensation or requesting sanctions for FC Barcelona, ​​but wanted to bring the matter to the attention of FIFA.

    Griezmann, who came to Atletico in 2014, has been linked with several top clubs, including Manchester United.

    His release sum was halved to 100 million Euros (118 million dollars) on Sept. 1.

    At Barca, he can fill the void Neymar left in summer when he moved on to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record fee of 222 million Euros.

  • FIFA suspends Brazil’s football president,Marco Polo del Nero

    Brazil’s football federation president has been suspended for 90 days while he is under a Fifa ethics investigation. Marco Polo del Nero is provisionally banned from all football activity.The 76-year-old has remained as head of the sport’s governing body in Brazil despite being charged by American authorities in 2015 over money laundering allegations.

    He quit Fifa’s executive committee that year, but has not been extradited from Brazil to the US to face charges.

    Three South American former Fifa executives are currently on trial in New York accused of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.

    World football’s governing body said on Friday that the the duration of Del Nero’s ban “may be extended for an additional period not exceeding 45 days”.

    “During this time, Mr Polo del Nero is banned from all football activities at both national and international level. The ban comes into force immediately,” it added in a statement.

    Del Nero was elected president in 2003 and took up a role with Fifa in 2012.

    He appeared at the Rio Olympics last summer when he welcomed Fifa president Gianni Infantino to the Brazilian football federation offices.

    He has not left Brazil since being indicted two years ago

    BBC Sports

  • Gaya calls for punitive measures following FIFA sanction

    Godfrey Gaya, a former lawmaker, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure disciplinary measures are taken against erring officials following FIFA’s sanction on Nigeria for using an ineligible player.

    TheNewsGuru reports that FIFA had on Tuesday said NFF was to pay a fine of 6,000 Swiss Francs for fielding an ineligible Shehu Abdullahi against Algeria.

    The Nov. 10 match in Constantine was a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying fixture, and it had ended 1-1.

    The Super Eagles defender Abdullahi Shehu was to serve the automatic one-match suspension as a result of receiving a caution in two separate matches of the same competition.

    Gaya, who was a former Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Sports, however told Sports Journalist on Wednesday in Abuja that the development was embarrassing.

    He said whoever was responsible should be sanctioned.

    “This has happened repeatedly in NFF and sanctions have not been applied.

    “It was said that FIFA informed NFF prior to the situation, but it did not take it into consideration.

    “That match against Algeria was inconsequential and we could have even filed players that had not featured at all in any of the qualifiers.

    “If we had not qualified before that match we would have lost our chance at the World Cup, in addition to the sanction.

    “ We are supposed to be participating at the World Cup with our heads high, but now it appears as though we are not capable of running our football well or keeping records,’’ Gaya said.

    The former House Committee chairman however blamed the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, for the negligence.

    “The General Secretary should know that this is his duty as number one administrator and the chief executive officer of the NFF.

    “ If the letter which FIFA sent was not worked upon then that responsibility rests on his shoulders,’’ he added.

    Meanwhile, Amaju Pinnick, the President of NFF, has through his twitter handle, @pinnickamaju, apologised for the error.

    “It was a lack of diligence in and by one of our departments and we are ensuring that errors like this never happen again.

    “On behalf of all at the NFF, I apologise,’’ the tweet read.

  • JUST IN: FIFA fines Nigeria for fielding Abdullahi Shehu against Algeria, deducts point

    The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has fined the Nigeria Football Federation 6,000 Swiss Francs (about N2,177,280) for fielding an ineligible player in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying match.

    The disciplinary committee of the body in a statement on Tuesday said the three-time African champions fielded Shehu Abdullahi who was ineligible for the qualifier against Algeria on November 10, 2017.

    The committee awarded 3-0 in favour of Algeria, with the NFF also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000 (about $6,045.30).

    The statement reads, “The sanction relates to the player Abdullahi Shehu failing to serve the automatic one-match suspension imposed on him as a result of receiving a caution in two separate matches of the same competition.

    “This sanction bears no impact on the final result of the preliminary competition for the FIFA World Cup since Nigeria had already qualified (and Algeria eliminated) before the match took place.”

    Due to the sanction, Nigeria’s points in the group stage dropped from 14 to 11, while Algeria gets five points.

  • FIFA President Infantino congratulates Pinnick

    FIFA President Infantino congratulates Pinnick

    President of world football –ruling body, FIFA, Mr. Gianni Infantino has congratulated NFF President Amaju Pinnick on his birthday, as the latter added another year on Friday, 1st December.

    In his short letter dated ‘Happy Birthday,’ the world’s number football administrator wrote: “On this very special day, let me extend my sincerest wishes to you for lots of luck, happiness, good health and success.

    “I sincerely hope that you will find time to spend a wonderful day with your family and your friends. Many happy returns of the day and kind personal regards.”

    Incidentally, both Infantino and Pinnick are in Moscow, Russia for Friday’s Final Draw for the 21st FIFA World Cup finals.

    Also, Super Eagles’ defender Abdullahi Shehu, on his twitter handle, gave big kudos to Pinnick for Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    “I’m using this opportunity to appreciate your good work and the Federation’s support. We made it successfully to Russia because of the perfect logistics put in place by your board. Wishing you the best in life. Great leader!”

    It has, indeed, been a magnificent past year for the NFF boss, during which he was appointed Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, won election as Member of the CAF Executive Committee, was made President of AFCON and was appointed Member of the CAF Emergency Committee.

    On the field, the Super Eagles made light work of a difficult group in the African series to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a match to spare and; the Super Eagles B also qualified for the 5th African Nations Championship.

    On the corporate front, an aggressive marketing drive has continued to bear fruits with several corporate bodies teaming up with the Federation and several others lining up to associate with Nigerian Football.

    Legacy projects are also afoot with the NFF in the process of building Mini-Secretariats for Football Associations in the various States and football fields in all local councils in the Federation.

     

  • CAF offers $500,000 to each African representative for 2018 World Cup preparations

    CAF offers $500,000 to each African representative for 2018 World Cup preparations

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said it would grant financial subsidy of $500,000 (about N175 million) to all five African representatives at the forthcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    The continental football governing body said the decision was taken by its Executive Committee and other stakeholders on the sidelines of the 2018 FIFA World Cup draws in Moscow on Friday.

    “At its last meeting held on Nov. 16 in Rabat, Morocco the CAF Executive Committee decided to set up an ad hoc committee chaired by the CAF First Vice President, Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    “The committee was told to map out a kind of support to be provided to African representatives to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

    “The committee, which has CAF Executive Committee member Kalusha Bwalya and presidents of the Football Associations of the five qualified countries as members, met in Moscow, Russia on the sidelines of Friday’s draw for the FIFA World Cup finals.

    “At the meeting, it was decided that CAF will grant a financial subsidy of $500,000 to each of the five African teams.

    “The financial package will be used mainly to strengthen and improve the technical supervision of each team.

    “In addition, CAF will provide each African representative with `fieldwiz’ equipment, a technological device and physical performance measuring tool for outdoor team sports players,” the continental football body said in a statement on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five African representatives at the FIFA World Cup in Russia are Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal.

  • All facts you need to know as Nigeria battles Argentina at Russia 2018 World Cup

    All facts you need to know as Nigeria battles Argentina at Russia 2018 World Cup

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria were, on Friday, drawn in Group D to play against Iceland, Croatia and nemesis, Argentina in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup scheduled to hold in Russia.

    After going through their World Cup qualifying phase unbeaten (amassing a total of 14 points from a possible 18), the Eagles will again face a recurring historic war of battling Argentina, one of the terrifying team in group D for the fifth time, three times in a row.

    Ahead of the clash between Argentina and Nigeria in Russia come 2018, here are the necessary facts you need to know about …

    CLEAN SHEETS

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have kept only one clean sheet in seven encounters with Argentina. That clean sheet was in 1995 FIFA Confederations Cup. Argentina on their part have kept three clean sheets. In 1995 at the Confederations Cup, and at the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups in South Korea /Japan and South Africa.

    BRACE HEROES

    Only three players have bagged braces in the seven meetings between both teams. At the 1994 FIFA World Cup Claudio Caniggia scored a brace as the Diego Maradona-inspired side came back to win 2-1 after Samson Siasia’s sublime opener at the Foxboro, Boston. Ahmed Musa also scored a brace in Nigeria’s 3-2 loss to Argentina at the Estadio Beira-Rio stadium, in Brazil.

    GOAL DIFFERENCES

    Nigeria have conceded 11 goals in seven meetings, scoring eight against Argentina. Samson Siasia was the first player to score a goal at the FIFA World Cup level between both teams while Marcos Rojo was the last player to find the back of the net.

    Musa also became the first Nigerian player to score a brace in a World Cup finals match. That same encounter also saw Lionel Messi score a brace to help Argentina finish top of Group F with three wins from three games.

     

    Other relevant facts…

    —Nigeria’s Super Eagles is youngest team at Russia 2018 world cup with an average age of (24.9) years

    —Nigeria meet Argentina at a World Cup for the fifth time. They lost all previous meetings, all in the group phase (1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014) WorldCupDraw

  • Dele Alli, banned for one England game following gesture

    Dele Alli, banned for one England game following gesture.

     

    England midfielder, Dele Alli, has been banned for one international match following his middle-finger gesture during the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

     

    The Tottenham player was also fined 5,000 Swiss francs (£3,852) by Fédération Internationale de Football Association, Fifa, who says the incident on 4 September was “offensive and unsporting”.

     

    The midfielder will miss Thursday’s World Cup qualifier at home to Slovenia.

     

    The 21-year-old, Alli, will be available for the game against Lithuania on Sunday.

     

    Alli said his gesture was aimed at former Spurs team-mate Kyle Walker during the 77th minute of the 2-1 win in Group F.

     

    The incident occurred after Alli was body-checked by Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel, and referee Clement Turpin waved play on.

     

    It initially appeared that Alli gestured towards the official, with whom he also had words when he was substituted in the 93rd minute.

     

    A Fifa statement said: “Although the disciplinary committee was not convinced that the player directed the gesture at the referee, and regardless of whether it was allegedly directed at a team-mate, it did consider such gesture to be offensive and unsporting. Therefore it amounted to a violation of article 57 of the Fifa disciplinary code.”