FIFA said on Wednesday it was banning the&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;Football Federation (PFF), barring the country&#39;s national and club teams from competing in international competition with immediate effect.

Zurich-based FIFA cited &quot;undue third-party interference&quot; as the reason for its decision.

Soccer&#39;s global governing body said the PFF offices and its accounts remained in control of a court-appointed administrator, violating FIFA&#39;s rules on independence.

FIFA: Ban on?Pakistan?Football Federation (PFF), barring the country's national and club teams from competing in international competition with immediate effect

FIFA said on Wednesday it was banning the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), barring the country's national and club teams from competing in international competition with immediate effect. Zurich-based FIFA cited "undue third-party interference" as the reason for its decision. Soccer's global governing body said the PFF offices and its accounts remained in control of a court-appointed administrator, violating FIFA's rules on independence.

FIFA suspends Pakistan over 'third-party interference'

Treble-winning coach Jupp&nbsp;Heynckes&nbsp;is&nbsp;set&nbsp;to take over at Bundesliga champions&nbsp;Bayern&nbsp;Munich for a fourth time,&nbsp;succeeding sacked Carlo&nbsp;Ancelotti, German media reported on Thursday.

The 72-year-old&nbsp;Heynckes&nbsp;led&nbsp;Bayern&nbsp;to the domestic league and Cup double and the Champions League title in 2013 but then had to make way for Spaniard Pep Guardiola.

According to the Bild newspaper&nbsp;Heynckes, who also led Real Madrid to the Champions League title and coached Benfica, Athletic Bilbao and a string of Bundesliga clubs, will take over until the end of the season.

The club could not be immediately reached for a comment.

Italian&nbsp;Ancelotti&nbsp;took over last season but was fired last week after the German champions slipped to second place in the league after twice squandering a two-goal lead in consecutive games.

They had also been beaten 3-0 at Paris St Germain in the Champions League.

Heynckes, who has not worked since 2013, had also coached&nbsp;Bayern&nbsp;from 1987-91 and briefly took over at the end of the 2008/9 season before becoming head coach between 2011-13.

The 72-year-old?Heynckes?led?Bayern?to the domestic league and Cup double and the Champions League title in 2013 but then had to make way for Spaniard Pep Guardiola

Treble-winning coach Jupp Heynckes is set to take over at Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for a fourth time, succeeding sacked Carlo Ancelotti, German media reported on Thursday. The 72-year-old Heynckes led Bayern to the domestic league and Cup double and the Champions League title in 2013 but then had to make way for Spaniard Pep Guardiola. According to the Bild newspaper Heynckes, who also led Real Madrid to the Champions League title and coached Benfica, Athletic Bilbao and a string of Bundesliga clubs, will take over until the end of the season. The club could not be immediately reached for a comment. Italian Ancelotti took over last season but was fired last week after the German champions slipped to second place in the league after twice squandering a two-goal lead in consecutive games. They had also been beaten 3-0 at Paris St Germain in the Champions League. Heynckes, who has not worked since 2013, had also coached Bayern from 1987-91 and briefly took over at the end of the 2008/9 season before becoming head coach between 2011-13.

Heynckes set to succeed Ancelotti as Bayern coach: Report

FIFA has backed down in its row with British football authorities over the wearing of poppies by players in international matches as a tribute to those killed in war.

Football associations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were fined by FIFA for ignoring warnings not to commemorate Armistice Day during their World Cup qualifiers last November.

FIFA`s stance -- based on a strict interpretation of its laws against the use of personal, political or religious slogans or symbols -- sparked widespread condemnation in Britain, with Prime Minister

Theresa May calling it &quot;utterly outrageous&quot; in Parliament.

But now football`s world governing body has sent its member associations new guidance, which says certain &quot;initiatives&quot; may appear on players` kits.

The document rules out &quot;personal&quot; or &quot;religious... slogans, statements or images&quot; but admits &quot;political&quot; is less clear, although it bans slogans and symbols related to political parties and governments.

It adds: &quot;When commemorating a significant national or international event, the sensibilities of the opposing team (including its supporters) and the general public should be carefully considered.&quot;

It means England, or any other team that wants to wear poppies on their shirts to mark Armistice Day (November 11), can do so, providing they get their opponents` permission and inform the organisers of the match.

If England seal qualification for next summer`s World Cup in their next two games in early October, they are set to play Germany in a friendly at Wembley in November and it is understood they have already been given permission by the German FA to wear poppies.

Football associations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were fined by FIFA for ignoring warnings not to commemorate Armistice Day during their World Cup qualifiers last November.

FIFA has backed down in its row with British football authorities over the wearing of poppies by players in international matches as a tribute to those killed in war. Football associations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales were fined by FIFA for ignoring warnings not to commemorate Armistice Day during their World Cup qualifiers last November. FIFA`s stance -- based on a strict interpretation of its laws against the use of personal, political or religious slogans or symbols -- sparked widespread condemnation in Britain, with Prime Minister Theresa May calling it "utterly outrageous" in Parliament. But now football`s world governing body has sent its member associations new guidance, which says certain "initiatives" may appear on players` kits. The document rules out "personal" or "religious... slogans, statements or images" but admits "political" is less clear, although it bans slogans and symbols related to political parties and governments. It adds: "When commemorating a significant national or international event, the sensibilities of the opposing team (including its supporters) and the general public should be carefully considered." It means England, or any other team that wants to wear poppies on their shirts to mark Armistice Day (November 11), can do so, providing they get their opponents` permission and inform the organisers of the match. If England seal qualification for next summer`s World Cup in their next two games in early October, they are set to play Germany in a friendly at Wembley in November and it is understood they have already been given permission by the German FA to wear poppies.

FIFA scraps ban on poppies on football shirts

World champions&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;pushed Brazil back into second place to&nbsp;return&nbsp;to the&nbsp;top&nbsp;of the&nbsp;FIFA&nbsp;rankings, which was published on Thursday.

Germany&#39;s 2-1 win away to the Czech Republic and their 6-0 drubbing of Norway in the World Cup qualifiers lifted them over the already-qualified Brazil, who dropped points in a draw away to Colombia.

European champions Portugal climbed three places to third -- even though they are second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Switzerland.

In another surprise, Argentina are fourth in the&nbsp;rankings&nbsp;despite struggling to qualify for the World Cup after drawing their last two games - away to Uruguay and at home to Venezuela.

War-torn Syria, who have reached the Asian playoff stage in the World Cup qualifiers despite playing their &#39;home&#39; World Cup qualifiers in Malaysia because of the security situation in the country, rose to their highest-ever ranking of 75.

Three other teams reached their best-ever place - Peru (12th), Northern Ireland (20th) and Luxemburg (101st) after they held France to a 0-0 draw away.

The&nbsp;rankings&nbsp;made disappointing reading for Asia with only three sides in the&nbsp;top&nbsp;50 - Iran, Japan and Australia.

The next&nbsp;FIFA&nbsp;rankings&nbsp;will be announced on Oct. 16 and used to determine the seedings in the draw for the four European playoff ties for next year&#39;s World Cup finals in Russia.

Top&nbsp;10&nbsp;rankings: (previous positions in brackets) 1.&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;(2) 2. Brazil (1) 3. Portugal (6) 4. Argentina (3) 5. Belgium (9) 6. Poland (5) 7. Switzerland (4) 8. France (10) 9. Chile (7) 10. Colombia (8)

Germany's 2-1 win away to the Czech Republic and their 6-0 drubbing of Norway in the World Cup qualifiers lifted them over the already-qualified Brazil, who dropped points in a draw away to Colombia.

World champions Germany pushed Brazil back into second place to return to the top of the FIFA rankings, which was published on Thursday. Germany's 2-1 win away to the Czech Republic and their 6-0 drubbing of Norway in the World Cup qualifiers lifted them over the already-qualified Brazil, who dropped points in a draw away to Colombia. European champions Portugal climbed three places to third -- even though they are second in their World Cup qualifying group behind Switzerland. In another surprise, Argentina are fourth in the rankings despite struggling to qualify for the World Cup after drawing their last two games - away to Uruguay and at home to Venezuela. War-torn Syria, who have reached the Asian playoff stage in the World Cup qualifiers despite playing their 'home' World Cup qualifiers in Malaysia because of the security situation in the country, rose to their highest-ever ranking of 75. Three other teams reached their best-ever place - Peru (12th), Northern Ireland (20th) and Luxemburg (101st) after they held France to a 0-0 draw away. The rankings made disappointing reading for Asia with only three sides in the top 50 - Iran, Japan and Australia. The next FIFA rankings will be announced on Oct. 16 and used to determine the seedings in the draw for the four European playoff ties for next year's World Cup finals in Russia. Top 10 rankings: (previous positions in brackets) 1. Germany (2) 2. Brazil (1) 3. Portugal (6) 4. Argentina (3) 5. Belgium (9) 6. Poland (5) 7. Switzerland (4) 8. France (10) 9. Chile (7) 10. Colombia (8)

FIFA rankings: World Champions Germany on top, Brazil slips

FIFA is struggling to implement reforms and change its operating culture because its leaders are more worried about their own political futures, a former top official said on Wednesday.

The global soccer body has been trying to overhaul its operations in the wake of the worst crisis in its history, sparked in 2015 by the indictment in the United States of several dozen soccer officials on corruption-related charges.

Miguel Maduro, a former head of FIFA&#39;s independent governance and review committee, also told a British parliamentary hearing that FIFA&#39;s leadership tried to persuade him not to block Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko from being re-elected to its top committee.

&quot;There is a culture in the institution ... that is extremely resistant to accountability, to independent scrutiny, to transparency, to the prevention of conflicts of interest,&quot; Maduro told the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.

He said FIFA president Gianni Infantino &quot;realised that if he wanted to survive politically, he had to choose to protect the independence of bodies, and therefore to keep us in place, or answer to his constituency.&quot;

Neither FIFA nor Infantino could immediately be reached for comment.

Maduro, a Portuguese lawyer, and politician was removed from his post in May, two months after ruling that Mutko could not stand for re-election for his place on the FIFA Council.

His responsibilities had included conducting eligibility checks on candidates for places on FIFA committees.

At the same time, FIFA also decided not to renew the mandates of Cornel Borbely and Hans-Joachim Eckert, the two heads of the independent ethics committee responsible for banning a number of soccer officials over the previous three years.

&quot;If they wanted in FIFA to really have independent scrutiny, they ought to have protected us,&quot; said Maduro. &quot;I think that ultimately, he (Infantino) chose to politically survive.&quot;

&quot;I was clearly told that declaring Mr. Mutko ineligible would probably cost the presidency because the World Cup would be a disaster and as a consequence, the presidency would be put under question,&quot; Maduro added.

Mutko was barred by the governance committee because his position in Russia contradicted its statutes concerning political neutrality.

Infantino was elected in February 2016 to rebuild FIFA after it became embroiled in the corruption scandal.

FIFA is struggling to implement reforms and change its operating culture because its leaders are more worried about their own political futures

FIFA is struggling to implement reforms and change its operating culture because its leaders are more worried about their own political futures, a former top official said on Wednesday. The global soccer body has been trying to overhaul its operations in the wake of the worst crisis in its history, sparked in 2015 by the indictment in the United States of several dozen soccer officials on corruption-related charges. Miguel Maduro, a former head of FIFA's independent governance and review committee, also told a British parliamentary hearing that FIFA's leadership tried to persuade him not to block Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko from being re-elected to its top committee. "There is a culture in the institution ... that is extremely resistant to accountability, to independent scrutiny, to transparency, to the prevention of conflicts of interest," Maduro told the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. He said FIFA president Gianni Infantino "realised that if he wanted to survive politically, he had to choose to protect the independence of bodies, and therefore to keep us in place, or answer to his constituency." Neither FIFA nor Infantino could immediately be reached for comment. Maduro, a Portuguese lawyer, and politician was removed from his post in May, two months after ruling that Mutko could not stand for re-election for his place on the FIFA Council. His responsibilities had included conducting eligibility checks on candidates for places on FIFA committees. At the same time, FIFA also decided not to renew the mandates of Cornel Borbely and Hans-Joachim Eckert, the two heads of the independent ethics committee responsible for banning a number of soccer officials over the previous three years. "If they wanted in FIFA to really have independent scrutiny, they ought to have protected us," said Maduro. "I think that ultimately, he (Infantino) chose to politically survive." "I was clearly told that declaring Mr. Mutko ineligible would probably cost the presidency because the World Cup would be a disaster and as a consequence, the presidency would be put under question," Maduro added. Mutko was barred by the governance committee because his position in Russia contradicted its statutes concerning political neutrality. Infantino was elected in February 2016 to rebuild FIFA after it became embroiled in the corruption scandal.

FIFA still resistant to change, says former official

FIFA has written to the All India Football Federation informing it of possible match fixing.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
FIFA wrote to AIFF informing about fixing during a match between Tollygunge Aggrgami and Rainbow FC on Aug 25: Utpal Ganguly,AIFF to ANI
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/906085574041231360">September 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The match FIFA was referring to was played on August 25 between Tollygunge Aggrgami and Rainbow FC.&nbsp;

The two clubs play in the Calcutta Football League.&nbsp;

Tollygunge won this match 2-1.

&nbsp;

The match FIFA was referring to was played on August 25 between Tollygunge Aggrgami and Rainbow FC

FIFA has written to the All India Football Federation informing it of possible match fixing. FIFA wrote to AIFF informing about fixing during a match between Tollygunge Aggrgami and Rainbow FC on Aug 25: Utpal Ganguly,AIFF to ANI — ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2017 × The match FIFA was referring to was played on August 25 between Tollygunge Aggrgami and Rainbow FC. The two clubs play in the Calcutta Football League. Tollygunge won this match 2-1.

FIFA writes to AIFF about possible match-fixing in Calcutta Football League

A member of FIFA&#39;s audit and compliance committee was handed a provisional 90-ban from football on Friday, a day after pleading guilty in a US court to taking bribes in exchange for using his influence within the global soccer body.

FIFA&#39;s ethics committee said it suspended Richard Lai, who is also president of the Guam Football Association (GFA), at the request of its chief investigator Cornely Borbely.

Lai, 55, pleaded guilty on Thursday to wire fraud conspiracy charges before US&nbsp;District Judge Pamela Chen in Brooklyn, according to US&nbsp;prosecutors who said he had taken close to $1 million in bribes.

As part of the plea, Lai, a US&nbsp;citizen, has agreed to pay $1.1 million, prosecutors said.

He was not among several dozen officials and sports marketing agencies, mainly from Latin America, who were indicted in the United States in 2015 in the biggest crisis in FIFA&#39;s history.

Lai, who has been president of the GFA since 2001, sits on the committee responsible for checking FIFA&#39;s financial accounting.

He was also suspended on Friday by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), where he is a member of the marketing committee.

The Pacific island of Guam is a US&nbsp;territory, though its football association is a member of the AFC. As a full FIFA member, it holds a vote in FIFA presidential elections.

Announcing Lai&#39;s guilty plea, the US&nbsp;department of justice said his &quot;breach of trust was particularly significant given his position as a member of the FIFA Audit and Compliance committee, which must play an important and independent role if corruption within FIFA is to be eliminated.&quot;

(Reuters)

Richard Lai was handed a provisional 90-ban from football on Friday

A member of FIFA's audit and compliance committee was handed a provisional 90-ban from football on Friday, a day after pleading guilty in a US court to taking bribes in exchange for using his influence within the global soccer body. FIFA's ethics committee said it suspended Richard Lai, who is also president of the Guam Football Association (GFA), at the request of its chief investigator Cornely Borbely. Lai, 55, pleaded guilty on Thursday to wire fraud conspiracy charges before US District Judge Pamela Chen in Brooklyn, according to US prosecutors who said he had taken close to $1 million in bribes. As part of the plea, Lai, a US citizen, has agreed to pay $1.1 million, prosecutors said. He was not among several dozen officials and sports marketing agencies, mainly from Latin America, who were indicted in the United States in 2015 in the biggest crisis in FIFA's history. Lai, who has been president of the GFA since 2001, sits on the committee responsible for checking FIFA's financial accounting. He was also suspended on Friday by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), where he is a member of the marketing committee. The Pacific island of Guam is a US territory, though its football association is a member of the AFC. As a full FIFA member, it holds a vote in FIFA presidential elections. Announcing Lai's guilty plea, the US department of justice said his "breach of trust was particularly significant given his position as a member of the FIFA Audit and Compliance committee, which must play an important and independent role if corruption within FIFA is to be eliminated." (Reuters)

FIFA suspends official who pleaded guilty in US bribery case

Video referees could help introduce key rule changes in 25 areas of the game such as awarding a penalty goal for a handball offence on the goal line, soccer&#39;s lawmaking body has said.

David Elleray, the technical director of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), said video assistant referees could trigger key changes to the handball rule to make the game fairer.

Elleray said incidents like Luis Suarez&#39;s handball on the line during Uruguay&#39;s 2010 World Cup match against Ghana was discussed. The African side missed the resulting penalty and a chance to qualify to the semi-finals of the tournament.

&quot;The IFAB is looking at 25 areas of the game aiming to make it fairer and handball is one of those,&quot; the 62-year-old former referee told the Times.

&quot;One of those areas we are discussing is incidents similar to the handball by Luis Su&aacute;rez in the 2010 World Cup.

&quot;A lot of people have said in those kind of incidents why can&#39;t you give that as a goal if it is clearly going in.&quot;

The video assistance, which is being tested ahead of the 2018 World Cup, played a key role earlier this week when it disallowed an offside goal from France striker Antoine Griezmann in a friendly against Spain.

(Reuters)

Video referees could help introduce key rule changes into football, such as awarding a penalty goal for a handball offence on the goal line

Video referees could help introduce key rule changes in 25 areas of the game such as awarding a penalty goal for a handball offence on the goal line, soccer's lawmaking body has said. David Elleray, the technical director of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), said video assistant referees could trigger key changes to the handball rule to make the game fairer. Elleray said incidents like Luis Suarez's handball on the line during Uruguay's 2010 World Cup match against Ghana was discussed. The African side missed the resulting penalty and a chance to qualify to the semi-finals of the tournament. "The IFAB is looking at 25 areas of the game aiming to make it fairer and handball is one of those," the 62-year-old former referee told the Times. "One of those areas we are discussing is incidents similar to the handball by Luis Suárez in the 2010 World Cup. "A lot of people have said in those kind of incidents why can't you give that as a goal if it is clearly going in." The video assistance, which is being tested ahead of the 2018 World Cup, played a key role earlier this week when it disallowed an offside goal from France striker Antoine Griezmann in a friendly against Spain. (Reuters)

Video referees set to drive major rule changes: IFAB

Argentina forward Lionel Messi has been banned from their next four competitive internationals starting with Tuesday&#39;s World Cup qualifier away to Bolivia, FIFA said on Tuesday.

FIFA said Messi had &quot;directed insulting words at an assistant referee&quot; during the 1-0 win over Chile on Friday.

After the game in La Paz, FIFA said the &quot;remainder of the sanction will be served over Argentina&rsquo;s subsequent World Cup qualifying matches&quot;.

(Reuters)

FIFA said Messi had 'directed insulting words at an assistant referee' during the 1-0 win over Chile on Friday

Argentina forward Lionel Messi has been banned from their next four competitive internationals starting with Tuesday's World Cup qualifier away to Bolivia, FIFA said on Tuesday. FIFA said Messi had "directed insulting words at an assistant referee" during the 1-0 win over Chile on Friday. After the game in La Paz, FIFA said the "remainder of the sanction will be served over Argentina’s subsequent World Cup qualifying matches". (Reuters)

FIFA bans Lionel Messi for four international games

FIFA&#39;s ruling council on Tuesday unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, with a format of 16 groups of three nations.&nbsp;

&quot;The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026: 16 groups of 3 teams,&quot; a tweet from FIFA&#39;s official account said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash">#WorldCup</a> as of 2026: 
16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting.
&mdash; FIFA Media (@fifamedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/fifamedia/status/818753191449948160">January 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The decision marks a major coup for the body&#39;s president Gianni Infantino who has made enlarging football&#39;s showcase event the centrepiece of his young administration.&nbsp;

The controversial proposal has faced criticism from some of the sport&#39;s most powerful voices, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players. &nbsp;

But Infantino had in recent weeks voiced confidence that his flagship project would be approved.

While noting that a bigger tournament would bring in more money, the FIFA chief has also argued that more World Cup berths would help drive football&#39;s global growth.&nbsp;

Africa and Asia could be the big winners in a larger format with a rise in their number of places, currently at 5 and 4.5 respectively.&nbsp;

But in order to smooth over scepticism about World Cup reform within UEFA, it is likely that Europe will also see its allotments rise above the current 13 places.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The controversial proposal has faced warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburn already exhausted players

FIFA's ruling council on Tuesday unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, with a format of 16 groups of three nations. "The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026: 16 groups of 3 teams," a tweet from FIFA's official account said. The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026: 16 groups of 3 teams. Details to follow after the meeting. — FIFA Media (@fifamedia) January 10, 2017 × The decision marks a major coup for the body's president Gianni Infantino who has made enlarging football's showcase event the centrepiece of his young administration. The controversial proposal has faced criticism from some of the sport's most powerful voices, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players. But Infantino had in recent weeks voiced confidence that his flagship project would be approved. While noting that a bigger tournament would bring in more money, the FIFA chief has also argued that more World Cup berths would help drive football's global growth. Africa and Asia could be the big winners in a larger format with a rise in their number of places, currently at 5 and 4.5 respectively. But in order to smooth over scepticism about World Cup reform within UEFA, it is likely that Europe will also see its allotments rise above the current 13 places. (AFP)

Football: FIFA approves 48 teams for World Cup 2026

&nbsp;

Portugal&#39;s star player Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFA&#39;s player of the year award for the fourth time, beating his old rival Argentinia&#39;s Lionel Messi. Italian Claudio Ranieri won the coach of the year award for leading rank outsiders Leicester City to the English Premier League title.

Ronaldo was rewarded for his performance in 2016 when he won the Champions League with his club Real Madrid and then Euro 2016 with Portugal. Five-times winner and four-times runner-up Messi was second and Frenchman Antoine Griezmann third.

&quot;I don`t have much more to say, I think the awards speak for themselves,&quot; he added. &quot;I&#39;m very happy and I can say that 2016 was the best year of my career, the trophy shows that people aren&#39;t blind and watch the games.&quot;

FIFA, which organised the award jointly with France Football magazine from 2010 to 2015 when it was named the Ballon d&#39;Or, rebranded it as &quot;The Best&quot; this year after splitting with the French publication. France Football continued with its own award which was also won by Ronaldo last month.

The ceremony, previously held at the Kongresshaus theatre in central Zurich, this year took place in the much more modest setting of a television studio on an industrial estate near the airport. Ronaldo previously won in 2008, 2013, 2014 with Messi second on each occasion. Messi won from 2009-12 and then again in 2015 with Ronaldo second on every occasion except in 2010 when Andres Iniesta was runner-up. Ranieri said he was &quot;crazy&quot; after winning the coach`s award ahead of Fernando Santos, who led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title.

&quot;I am crazy now,&quot; he said. &quot;What happened last season in England was something strange. The football gods said Leicester must win.&quot; Colombian side Atletico Nacional were given the Fair Play Award for conceding to Copa Sudamericana title to Brazilian side Chapecoense, whose team was decimated when a plane taking to the final crashed, killing 71 people.

&quot;We did nothing more than what we had to do....handing them this trophy as a gesture of hope,&quot; said club president Juan Carlos de La Cuesta.

American Carli Lloyd won the women&#39;s player of the year award for the second year in a row.&nbsp; Mohd Faiz Subri, of Malaysian Super League side Penang, won the goal of the year award for a 35-metre free kick in which the ball dipped and swung in a bewildering fashion to leave the goalkeeper stranded.

(Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo won the award for the fourth time, beating his old rival Lionel Messi

Portugal's star player Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFA's player of the year award for the fourth time, beating his old rival Argentinia's Lionel Messi. Italian Claudio Ranieri won the coach of the year award for leading rank outsiders Leicester City to the English Premier League title. Ronaldo was rewarded for his performance in 2016 when he won the Champions League with his club Real Madrid and then Euro 2016 with Portugal. Five-times winner and four-times runner-up Messi was second and Frenchman Antoine Griezmann third. "I don`t have much more to say, I think the awards speak for themselves," he added. "I'm very happy and I can say that 2016 was the best year of my career, the trophy shows that people aren't blind and watch the games." FIFA, which organised the award jointly with France Football magazine from 2010 to 2015 when it was named the Ballon d'Or, rebranded it as "The Best" this year after splitting with the French publication. France Football continued with its own award which was also won by Ronaldo last month. The ceremony, previously held at the Kongresshaus theatre in central Zurich, this year took place in the much more modest setting of a television studio on an industrial estate near the airport. Ronaldo previously won in 2008, 2013, 2014 with Messi second on each occasion. Messi won from 2009-12 and then again in 2015 with Ronaldo second on every occasion except in 2010 when Andres Iniesta was runner-up. Ranieri said he was "crazy" after winning the coach`s award ahead of Fernando Santos, who led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title. "I am crazy now," he said. "What happened last season in England was something strange. The football gods said Leicester must win." Colombian side Atletico Nacional were given the Fair Play Award for conceding to Copa Sudamericana title to Brazilian side Chapecoense, whose team was decimated when a plane taking to the final crashed, killing 71 people. "We did nothing more than what we had to do....handing them this trophy as a gesture of hope," said club president Juan Carlos de La Cuesta. American Carli Lloyd won the women's player of the year award for the second year in a row. Mohd Faiz Subri, of Malaysian Super League side Penang, won the goal of the year award for a 35-metre free kick in which the ball dipped and swung in a bewildering fashion to leave the goalkeeper stranded. (Reuters)

Ronaldo wins FIFA's player of the year award

FIFA&#39;s ruling council today unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, in a major coup for the body&#39;s president Gianni Infantino.

In a bid to widen the game&#39;s global appeal and enrich its coffers, the FIFA panel endorsed a format with 16 groups of three nations, a tweet from FIFA&#39;s official account said.

The move represents the first major change to the World Cup format since the tournament was boosted from 24 to 32 teams for the 1998 tournament in France.

Infantino took charge of scandal-tainted FIFA 11 months ago with a vow to repair the damage done at the end of Sepp Blatter&#39;s tenure by growing football across the globe.

Enlarging the World Cup, the planet&#39;s top sporting competition, was the centrepiece of that plan.

The controversial proposal faced tough criticism in some of football&#39;s key camps, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players.

But Infantino had in recent weeks voiced confidence that his flagship project would be approved.

The FIFA chief has noted that a bigger tournament would beef up FIFA&#39;s coffers.

And a confidential FIFA report seen by AFP projects a 48-team tournament would bring a cash boost of $640 million (605 million euros) above projected revenues for next year&#39;s finals in Russia.

But Infantino has also argued that more World Cup berths would help serve football&#39;s interest by boosting &quot;inclusion&quot; in the &quot;biggest social and sporting event&quot;. 
Among those who seemed convinced by that argument was Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who on Monday said a 48-team format &quot;will give more possibilities to countries that have never reached that level of competition&quot;.

Africa and Asia could be the big winners with a rise in their number of places &mdash; currently at five for Africa and between four and five for Asia. 
 
But in order to smooth over scepticism about World Cup reform within UEFA, it is likely that Europe will also see its allotments rise above the current 13 places. 
A source close to FIFA told AFP that under the new format Europe could get 16 places, with Africa earning nine.

But that information remained unconfirmed and world football&#39;s governing body was not expected to immediately announce its final decision on allotments, which may fuel a tough debate in the months ahead.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The move represents the first major change to the World Cup format since the tournament was boosted from 24 to 32 teams in 1998

FIFA's ruling council today unanimously approved an expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, in a major coup for the body's president Gianni Infantino. In a bid to widen the game's global appeal and enrich its coffers, the FIFA panel endorsed a format with 16 groups of three nations, a tweet from FIFA's official account said. The move represents the first major change to the World Cup format since the tournament was boosted from 24 to 32 teams for the 1998 tournament in France. Infantino took charge of scandal-tainted FIFA 11 months ago with a vow to repair the damage done at the end of Sepp Blatter's tenure by growing football across the globe. Enlarging the World Cup, the planet's top sporting competition, was the centrepiece of that plan. The controversial proposal faced tough criticism in some of football's key camps, including warnings that it would dilute the quality of play and overburden already exhausted players. But Infantino had in recent weeks voiced confidence that his flagship project would be approved. The FIFA chief has noted that a bigger tournament would beef up FIFA's coffers. And a confidential FIFA report seen by AFP projects a 48-team tournament would bring a cash boost of $640 million (605 million euros) above projected revenues for next year's finals in Russia. But Infantino has also argued that more World Cup berths would help serve football's interest by boosting "inclusion" in the "biggest social and sporting event". Among those who seemed convinced by that argument was Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, who on Monday said a 48-team format "will give more possibilities to countries that have never reached that level of competition". Africa and Asia could be the big winners with a rise in their number of places — currently at five for Africa and between four and five for Asia. But in order to smooth over scepticism about World Cup reform within UEFA, it is likely that Europe will also see its allotments rise above the current 13 places. A source close to FIFA told AFP that under the new format Europe could get 16 places, with Africa earning nine. But that information remained unconfirmed and world football's governing body was not expected to immediately announce its final decision on allotments, which may fuel a tough debate in the months ahead. (AFP)

FIFA approves 48-team World Cup for 2026

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said successor Gianni Infantino disrespected him by not returning his phone calls.&nbsp;

&quot;After his election we had a very good contact and he stopped at my house and we had a chat,&quot; Blatter said. &quot;I told him I have a list of questions that should be solved in FIFA which has not been solved before.&quot;

&quot;[Infantino] said, &#39;I will work on that&#39;, and he never came back. I have asked him, I have sent him a letter and I have his personal number and I was told that it&#39;s still correct.

&quot;Never, never an answer, never,&quot; said Blatter. &quot;I have never seen in any company that the new president ... was not paying respect to the old president,&quot; he told BBC&#39;s World Football programme.&nbsp;

Blatter, who was facing a six-year ban for ethics violation, lost his appeal to Court of Arbitration (CAS) on Monday.

He had sanctioned payments to former FIFA vice-president Michel Plantini over $2 million which amounted to &quot;undue gifts&quot; violating FIFA&#39;s ethics norms.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Blatter said he had and wanted to discuss with his successor a 'list of questions that should be solved in FIFA'

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said successor Gianni Infantino disrespected him by not returning his phone calls. "After his election we had a very good contact and he stopped at my house and we had a chat," Blatter said. "I told him I have a list of questions that should be solved in FIFA which has not been solved before." "[Infantino] said, 'I will work on that', and he never came back. I have asked him, I have sent him a letter and I have his personal number and I was told that it's still correct. "Never, never an answer, never," said Blatter. "I have never seen in any company that the new president ... was not paying respect to the old president," he told BBC's World Football programme. Blatter, who was facing a six-year ban for ethics violation, lost his appeal to Court of Arbitration (CAS) on Monday. He had sanctioned payments to former FIFA vice-president Michel Plantini over $2 million which amounted to "undue gifts" violating FIFA's ethics norms. (WION with inputs Reuters)

Disrespectful Infantino won't answer my calls, complains ex FIFA chief Blatter

Alcohol will be banned from streets and public places and if Qatari officials get their way even stadiums during the 2022 World Cup, the head of the country&#39;s tournament organising committee said on Tuesday.

The comments by Hassan Al-Thawadi will further alarm football traditionalists already unhappy that the tournament will be moved to the winter because of fierce summer temperatures in Qatar.

A ban on alcohol inside stadium, there has long been speculation about what the conservative Muslim country would do on the tricky issue of alcohol for the World Cup, could bring organisers into conflict with FIFA and powerful sponsors.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>In the run-up to the tournament in Brazil in 2014, it was widely reported that FIFA demanded alcohol be served at stadiums, which was against Brazilian law at the time</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=In the run-up to the tournament in Brazil in 2014, it was widely reported that FIFA demanded alcohol be served at stadiums, which was against Brazilian law at the time" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

&nbsp;

&quot;There will be no alcohol consumption on the streets, squares and public places and that is final,&quot; Al-Thawadi, secretary general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said in an interview printed on the website of Arabic language newspaper Al-Sharq.

&quot;We are against the provision of alcohol in stadiums and their surroundings.&quot;

There will not be a total alcohol ban, but drinking will be permitted only in &quot;far-away places&quot;, said Al-Thawadi, without going into details.

Drinking of alcohol is not illegal in Qatar and alcohol is available in hotels, while expats who live in the Gulf emirate can buy drink after applying for a licence.

Public drinking, however, is prohibited and bringing alcohol into the country is also forbidden.

The official said Qatar would resist attempts to change the country&#39;s laws for the tournament, as has happened with previous World Cup hosts.

&quot;I did not get into a discussion with FIFA on this matter and there has been great pressure from FIFA on Russia (2018 hosts) to change its laws,&quot; he said.

&quot;But our position is clear, we will legalise according to Qatari law and commensurate with the customs and traditions.&quot;

This could potentially lead to problems with football&rsquo;s governing body FIFA and major sponsors, including beer giant Budweiser.

In the run-up to the tournament in Brazil in 2014, it was widely reported that FIFA demanded alcohol be served at stadiums, which was against Brazilian law at the time.

The South American hosts finally relented.

As well as the impact on cultural traditions there has been growing concern in Qatar about the link between alcohol and the behaviour of fans, especially following clashes at the Euros in France earlier this year, most notably between English and Russian fans.

Organisers have already stated they feared alcohol helped contribute to some of the violence seen in France.

Al-Thawadi said earlier this year that drunken fans during the 2022 World Cup would be treated &quot;gently&quot;.

It has been estimated by organisers that up to one million fans could descend on Qatar for the 2022 tournament.

Many of these could stay in hotels, specially designed campsites and cruise ships.

(AFP)

The ban could extend to inside stadiums too, the head of the country's tournament organising committee said on Tuesday

Alcohol will be banned from streets and public places and if Qatari officials get their way even stadiums during the 2022 World Cup, the head of the country's tournament organising committee said on Tuesday. The comments by Hassan Al-Thawadi will further alarm football traditionalists already unhappy that the tournament will be moved to the winter because of fierce summer temperatures in Qatar. A ban on alcohol inside stadium, there has long been speculation about what the conservative Muslim country would do on the tricky issue of alcohol for the World Cup, could bring organisers into conflict with FIFA and powerful sponsors. In the run-up to the tournament in Brazil in 2014, it was widely reported that FIFA demanded alcohol be served at stadiums, which was against Brazilian law at the time × "There will be no alcohol consumption on the streets, squares and public places and that is final," Al-Thawadi, secretary general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said in an interview printed on the website of Arabic language newspaper Al-Sharq. "We are against the provision of alcohol in stadiums and their surroundings." There will not be a total alcohol ban, but drinking will be permitted only in "far-away places", said Al-Thawadi, without going into details. Drinking of alcohol is not illegal in Qatar and alcohol is available in hotels, while expats who live in the Gulf emirate can buy drink after applying for a licence. Public drinking, however, is prohibited and bringing alcohol into the country is also forbidden. The official said Qatar would resist attempts to change the country's laws for the tournament, as has happened with previous World Cup hosts. "I did not get into a discussion with FIFA on this matter and there has been great pressure from FIFA on Russia (2018 hosts) to change its laws," he said. "But our position is clear, we will legalise according to Qatari law and commensurate with the customs and traditions." This could potentially lead to problems with football’s governing body FIFA and major sponsors, including beer giant Budweiser. In the run-up to the tournament in Brazil in 2014, it was widely reported that FIFA demanded alcohol be served at stadiums, which was against Brazilian law at the time. The South American hosts finally relented. As well as the impact on cultural traditions there has been growing concern in Qatar about the link between alcohol and the behaviour of fans, especially following clashes at the Euros in France earlier this year, most notably between English and Russian fans. Organisers have already stated they feared alcohol helped contribute to some of the violence seen in France. Al-Thawadi said earlier this year that drunken fans during the 2022 World Cup would be treated "gently". It has been estimated by organisers that up to one million fans could descend on Qatar for the 2022 tournament. Many of these could stay in hotels, specially designed campsites and cruise ships. (AFP)

No alcohol on streets, in public places at Football World Cup: Qatar

FIFA on Monday decided to disband its racism task force despite waht many believe is a decision made in haste.&nbsp; 
 
FIFA defended its decision to end the task force&#39;s work that was established in 2013 by former FIFA President Sepp Blatter to eradicate racism in the sport.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It had a very specific mandate and they came up with very strong recommendations and FIFA is acting on them,&quot; said the new secretary-general Fatma Samoura, insisting the mission had been a success.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We can live with perception but we are taking very seriously our role as football&#39;s governing body to fight discrimination, it is well reflected in the statutes,&quot; Samoura stood by the decision. 
 
Delivering the keynote address at the Soccerex Global Football Convention, she said, &quot;Coming from the UN we must really be firm. It is really on top of the agenda of the FIFA administration. It is zero tolerance to discrimination on grounds of culture, racism colour of the skin and sexual orientation.&quot; 
 
But many criticised the timing of the decision that comes ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, including two-time former FIFA presidential candidate Prine Ali bin Hussein.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Transparency, trust, credibility and integrity are the values that should run through everything FIFA does - Not tackling the plague of racism and discrimination properly is an absolute betrayal of those values,&quot; said the former FIFA vice-president.&nbsp; 
 
And the British anti-discrimination body &#39;Kick It Out&#39; too expressed its disappointment.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It is clear that organisations that are actively campaigning against racism and discrimination will be deeply disheartened to hear news of the disbandment, as they look to FIFA for leadership in a game which is so popular across the world,&quot; read the statement. 
 
Russia, which is hosting the next World Cup, is known for its notorious fans and their racist and abusive activities.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

FIFA received sharp criticism from the football world over its decision to end the group tasked with fighting discrimination in the sport

FIFA on Monday decided to disband its racism task force despite waht many believe is a decision made in haste. FIFA defended its decision to end the task force's work that was established in 2013 by former FIFA President Sepp Blatter to eradicate racism in the sport. "It had a very specific mandate and they came up with very strong recommendations and FIFA is acting on them," said the new secretary-general Fatma Samoura, insisting the mission had been a success. "We can live with perception but we are taking very seriously our role as football's governing body to fight discrimination, it is well reflected in the statutes," Samoura stood by the decision. Delivering the keynote address at the Soccerex Global Football Convention, she said, "Coming from the UN we must really be firm. It is really on top of the agenda of the FIFA administration. It is zero tolerance to discrimination on grounds of culture, racism colour of the skin and sexual orientation." But many criticised the timing of the decision that comes ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, including two-time former FIFA presidential candidate Prine Ali bin Hussein. "Transparency, trust, credibility and integrity are the values that should run through everything FIFA does - Not tackling the plague of racism and discrimination properly is an absolute betrayal of those values," said the former FIFA vice-president. And the British anti-discrimination body 'Kick It Out' too expressed its disappointment. "It is clear that organisations that are actively campaigning against racism and discrimination will be deeply disheartened to hear news of the disbandment, as they look to FIFA for leadership in a game which is so popular across the world," read the statement. Russia, which is hosting the next World Cup, is known for its notorious fans and their racist and abusive activities. (WION with inputs from agencies)

FIFA defends decision to disband anti-racism task force

FIFA officials on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the pace of work in India&#39;s southern Kochi city, which is one of the provisional venues for its Under-17 World Cup next year. 
 
Earlier in the day, state chief of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, chaired a high-level meet with Tournament Director of FIFA Under 17&#39;s Local Organising Committee (LOC), Jevier Ceppi, and other officials to review the preparations. The delegation later visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where construction work is underway. 
 
&quot;Work is moving, which is something that is important. Work needs to keep at the pace or even improve the pace to make sure that everything is ready by October 2016. So I am sure that now with government assuring that everything will be ready, I am agreeing that everything will be ready by October 2016. They make all their best efforts to happen,&quot; said Ceppi. 
 
He added that six Indian cities have been provisionally selected, and if preparations are not up to the mark, these particular cities might not host the mega event. 
 
An evaluation team from the FIFA will visit the venues in October to inspect their level of preparedness. Apart from Kochi, the other shortlisted venues are New Delhi, Navi Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Margao. 
 
This will be the first time India hosts the FIFA World Cup tournament and also makes its World Cup debut. The host nation automatically enters the tournament. The event will take place sometime around October 2017. 
 
It will be the biggest soccer tournament staged in India, who won the nomination by beating bids from 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa and Uzbekistan. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
&nbsp;

This will be the first time India hosts the FIFA World Cup tournament and also makes its World Cup debut. The event will take place in 2017

FIFA officials on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the pace of work in India's southern Kochi city, which is one of the provisional venues for its Under-17 World Cup next year. Earlier in the day, state chief of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, chaired a high-level meet with Tournament Director of FIFA Under 17's Local Organising Committee (LOC), Jevier Ceppi, and other officials to review the preparations. The delegation later visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where construction work is underway. "Work is moving, which is something that is important. Work needs to keep at the pace or even improve the pace to make sure that everything is ready by October 2016. So I am sure that now with government assuring that everything will be ready, I am agreeing that everything will be ready by October 2016. They make all their best efforts to happen," said Ceppi. He added that six Indian cities have been provisionally selected, and if preparations are not up to the mark, these particular cities might not host the mega event. An evaluation team from the FIFA will visit the venues in October to inspect their level of preparedness. Apart from Kochi, the other shortlisted venues are New Delhi, Navi Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Margao. This will be the first time India hosts the FIFA World Cup tournament and also makes its World Cup debut. The host nation automatically enters the tournament. The event will take place sometime around October 2017. It will be the biggest soccer tournament staged in India, who won the nomination by beating bids from 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa and Uzbekistan. (Reuters)

FIFA satisfied with preparations in southern Indian city ahead of U-17 World Cup

Guatemala&#39;s former football chief pleaded guilty in New York on Friday to racketeering and wire fraud conspiracies in connection with the unprecedented FIFA corruption scandal rocking world soccer. 
 
Brayan Jimenez, 62, negotiated and accepted bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in awarding media and marketing rights for his country&#39;s qualifier matches for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, prosecutors said. 
 
Jimenez, a former member of FIFA&#39;s Committee for Fair Play and Social Responsibility, agreed to forfeit $35,000. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for each count when sentenced, US officials said. 
 
Jimenez, who was detained in January in a disheveled and intoxicated state in a posh suburb of Guatemala City, was extradited to the United States in March. 
 
He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges, which included corruption, money laundering, fraud and embezzlement, and was placed under house arrest after posting a $1.5 million bond, $75,000 of it in cash. 
 
US prosecutors in New York have indicted 40 football and sports marketing executives, including Jimenez, over allegedly receiving tens of millions of bribes and kickbacks in the largest corruption scandal in the history of soccer. 
 
More than a third have since pleaded guilty. None have yet been formally sentenced and a date is still pending to put the rest on trial. 
 
(AFP)

Brayan Jimenez agreed to forfeit $35,000 and faces a maximum sentence for 20 years for each count. He had initially pleaded not guilty

Guatemala's former football chief pleaded guilty in New York on Friday to racketeering and wire fraud conspiracies in connection with the unprecedented FIFA corruption scandal rocking world soccer. Brayan Jimenez, 62, negotiated and accepted bribes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in awarding media and marketing rights for his country's qualifier matches for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, prosecutors said. Jimenez, a former member of FIFA's Committee for Fair Play and Social Responsibility, agreed to forfeit $35,000. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for each count when sentenced, US officials said. Jimenez, who was detained in January in a disheveled and intoxicated state in a posh suburb of Guatemala City, was extradited to the United States in March. He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges, which included corruption, money laundering, fraud and embezzlement, and was placed under house arrest after posting a $1.5 million bond, $75,000 of it in cash. US prosecutors in New York have indicted 40 football and sports marketing executives, including Jimenez, over allegedly receiving tens of millions of bribes and kickbacks in the largest corruption scandal in the history of soccer. More than a third have since pleaded guilty. None have yet been formally sentenced and a date is still pending to put the rest on trial. (AFP)

Former Guatemalan football chief pleads guilty to FIFA corruption charges

FIFA&#39;s ethics committee today recommended a ban of at least four years from all football activities for former Thailand federation president Worawi Makudi. Worawi, a FIFA exective committee member until last year, is in the dock for violating the sports ruling body&#39;s &quot;general rules&quot; and &quot;forgery and falsification&quot;, FIFA&#39;s adjudicatory chamber revealed in a statement. 
 
The suspension was called for after a final report on Worawi was submitted by the investigatory arm of FIFA&#39;s ethics committee. &quot;The investigatory chamber recommends a ban from all football-related activity for no less than four years and a fine of CHF 25,000 ($25,000),&quot; the judging body announced. 
 
&quot;For reasons linked to privacy rights and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the adjudicatory chamber will not publish further details at the moment,&quot; its statement added.&nbsp; 
 
Thai football has been mired in division and controversy after a cascade of scandals linked to the deposed Football Association of Thailand (FAT) chief. Worawi was found guilty in July 2015 by a Thai court of forgery in his re-election as head of FAT. He has denied all wrongdoing. 
 
Worawi was for years a staunch ally of disgraced ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has been banned from football for six years over ethics violation. 
 
(AFP)

Worawi was found guilty in July 2015 by a Thai court of forgery in his re-election as head of Football Association of Thailand

FIFA's ethics committee today recommended a ban of at least four years from all football activities for former Thailand federation president Worawi Makudi. Worawi, a FIFA exective committee member until last year, is in the dock for violating the sports ruling body's "general rules" and "forgery and falsification", FIFA's adjudicatory chamber revealed in a statement. The suspension was called for after a final report on Worawi was submitted by the investigatory arm of FIFA's ethics committee. "The investigatory chamber recommends a ban from all football-related activity for no less than four years and a fine of CHF 25,000 ($25,000)," the judging body announced. "For reasons linked to privacy rights and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the adjudicatory chamber will not publish further details at the moment," its statement added. Thai football has been mired in division and controversy after a cascade of scandals linked to the deposed Football Association of Thailand (FAT) chief. Worawi was found guilty in July 2015 by a Thai court of forgery in his re-election as head of FAT. He has denied all wrongdoing. Worawi was for years a staunch ally of disgraced ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has been banned from football for six years over ethics violation. (AFP)

FIFA recommends four-year ban for ex-federation boss Worawi Makudi

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said allegations that he had helped cover up a top footballer&#39;s positive doping test were silly. Mutko added that he and Russia were being smeared as payback for winning the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 
 
Mutko, who is battling to end a doping scandal that has placed a question mark over Russian athletes&#39; right to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was responding to allegations against him made by German public broadcaster ARD/WDR. 
 
The German broadcaster, whose reports led to the suspension of Russia&#39;s track-and-field athletes, said an alleged internal sports ministry e-mail exchange discussing a footballer&#39;s failed test said the matter should be forwarded to &#39;VL&#39;.&nbsp;That, it said, referred to Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko. 
 
&quot;Initials could be interpreted in a different way,&quot; Mutko was quoted as saying today by the TASS news agency. &quot;How could I help to hide this? Destroy it myself? This is silly stuff, unconvincing.&quot; 
 
After being suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) last year, Russia is trying to convince sports authorities that it is serious about rooting out cheats in time for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August. 
 
The IAAF will decide whether Russia has done enough to have that ban overturned at a meeting in Vienna on June 17. 
 
&quot;One of the reasons for the doping scandal with Russian sportspeople is the desire to dredge for compromising information with regard to the 2018 World Cup,&quot; he was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency. 
 
&quot;First they tried through FIFA but didn&#39;t succeed,&quot; he said. &quot;Now they are investigating the laundering of bribes, they are trying to get in from the other side.&quot;

German public broadcaster ARD/WDR's report had led to the suspension of Russia's track-and-field athletes

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said allegations that he had helped cover up a top footballer's positive doping test were silly. Mutko added that he and Russia were being smeared as payback for winning the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Mutko, who is battling to end a doping scandal that has placed a question mark over Russian athletes' right to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was responding to allegations against him made by German public broadcaster ARD/WDR. The German broadcaster, whose reports led to the suspension of Russia's track-and-field athletes, said an alleged internal sports ministry e-mail exchange discussing a footballer's failed test said the matter should be forwarded to 'VL'. That, it said, referred to Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko. "Initials could be interpreted in a different way," Mutko was quoted as saying today by the TASS news agency. "How could I help to hide this? Destroy it myself? This is silly stuff, unconvincing." After being suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) last year, Russia is trying to convince sports authorities that it is serious about rooting out cheats in time for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August. The IAAF will decide whether Russia has done enough to have that ban overturned at a meeting in Vienna on June 17. "One of the reasons for the doping scandal with Russian sportspeople is the desire to dredge for compromising information with regard to the 2018 World Cup," he was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency. "First they tried through FIFA but didn't succeed," he said. "Now they are investigating the laundering of bribes, they are trying to get in from the other side."

Russian sports minister says doping cover-up stories are silly revenge

Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Angel Maria Villar said he plans to seek re-election to his country&#39;s governing body later this year if he fails in a bid to become UEFA president. 
 
Villar has been acting head of the European soccer federation since October 2015, when Michel Platini was suspended from all football-related activities for six years, later reduced to four, for ethics violations. 
 
Last week the Spaniard announced his intention to stand in the UEFA elections on September 14 to replace Platini. Slovenian Aleksandar Ceferin and Dutchman Michael van Praag will also contest the presidency. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m standing for UEFA president because the majority of the European federations have asked me to,&quot; Villar, who has been president of the RFEF since 1988, said today following a meeting with referees.&nbsp;&quot;If I don&#39;t win or I pull out, which I don&#39;t believe will happen, I will stand for re-election of the RFEF.&quot; 
 
RFEF general secretary Jorge Perez is among other candidates for the Spanish vote, which is expected to take place after the UEFA election. 
 
Villar, also a FIFA vice-president, was fined 25,000 Swiss francs by FIFA&#39;s Ethics Committee in 2015 for failing to cooperate with their investigation into the contests to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. 
 
Villar said he was confident of winning the UEFA election. &quot;I have taken this step (to run) because I have sufficient support to win,&quot; he said. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Slovenian Aleksandar Ceferin and Dutchman Michael van Praag to also contest UEFA presidency

Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Angel Maria Villar said he plans to seek re-election to his country's governing body later this year if he fails in a bid to become UEFA president. Villar has been acting head of the European soccer federation since October 2015, when Michel Platini was suspended from all football-related activities for six years, later reduced to four, for ethics violations. Last week the Spaniard announced his intention to stand in the UEFA elections on September 14 to replace Platini. Slovenian Aleksandar Ceferin and Dutchman Michael van Praag will also contest the presidency. "I'm standing for UEFA president because the majority of the European federations have asked me to," Villar, who has been president of the RFEF since 1988, said today following a meeting with referees. "If I don't win or I pull out, which I don't believe will happen, I will stand for re-election of the RFEF." RFEF general secretary Jorge Perez is among other candidates for the Spanish vote, which is expected to take place after the UEFA election. Villar, also a FIFA vice-president, was fined 25,000 Swiss francs by FIFA's Ethics Committee in 2015 for failing to cooperate with their investigation into the contests to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Villar said he was confident of winning the UEFA election. "I have taken this step (to run) because I have sufficient support to win," he said. (Reuters)

Spanish football federation chief Villar to seek re-election if UEFA bid fails

&nbsp;FIFA has reduced the ban on two senior officials, including its former secretary general, who were barred from soccer-related activities following a corruption probe, the global soccer body said today. 
 
The FIFA Appeal Committee, chaired by Larry Mussenden, has partially confirmed the decisions taken by the adjudicatory chamber of the ethics committee regarding Jerome Valcke, but reduced his ban from 12 to 10 years. 
 
Chung Mong-joon, another official, had his ban reduced from six to five years. 
 
The pair had been banned from soccer by Zurich-based FIFA after being found guilty of breaching its code of conduct. 
 
(Reuters)

Jerome Valcke and Chung Mong-joon had been banned from soccer by Zurich-based FIFA following a corruption probe

FIFA has reduced the ban on two senior officials, including its former secretary general, who were barred from soccer-related activities following a corruption probe, the global soccer body said today. The FIFA Appeal Committee, chaired by Larry Mussenden, has partially confirmed the decisions taken by the adjudicatory chamber of the ethics committee regarding Jerome Valcke, but reduced his ban from 12 to 10 years. Chung Mong-joon, another official, had his ban reduced from six to five years. The pair had been banned from soccer by Zurich-based FIFA after being found guilty of breaching its code of conduct. (Reuters)

FIFA appeal committee reduces Valcke ban from 12 to 10 years

<div style="text-align: justify;">An ambitious project to awaken a sleeping giant of Asian soccer looks like confirming Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen&#39;s famous remark that India pricks up its ears only when comparisons with China are made. 
 
With China embarked on a multi-billion dollar mission to become a soccer superpower by 2050, India looks set to follow suit with its own plan to raise its status in the game to match its burgeoning economic power. 
 
Come&nbsp;October, India,&nbsp;most famously described as soccer&#39;s sleeping giant by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, will launch a programme to engage more than 11 million children in soccer-related activities. 
 
All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials will not share details of the FIFA-backed programme yet, but according to a government statement, &quot;Mission 11 Million&quot; will be launched in about 30 cities across the country. 
 
As in China, where the soccer revolution was inspired by President Xi Jinping, the desire to improve India&#39;s standing in the world game goes to the very top. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March lamented India&#39;s decline from one of Asia&#39;s top soccer nations in the 1960s to its current position at 163rd in the FIFA rankings, sandwiched between the Comoros and Tajikistan. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;Unfortunately, over the decades we have slipped to the lowest rungs,&quot; Modi said in his weekly radio talk. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;Today our ranking in FIFA is so low that I feel reluctant even to mention it.&quot; 
 
With India hosting the under-17 World Cup next year, states have been asked to promote football in a pattern similar to the trend across the border in China. 
 
The world&#39;s most populous nation plans to engage 30 million school children by 2020 as the first step towards achieving Xi&#39;s &quot;three wishes&quot; for China - to qualify for a second World Cup finals, to host a World Cup and to eventually win one. 
 
TARGETING DIASPORA 
 
And while the AIFF are looking to engage as many of the country&#39;s 1.3 billion people as possible, they have also cast their net wider with a global scouting programme to identify talent in the Indian diaspora. 
 
&quot;The idea is to increase the talent pool,&quot; former India captain and head of the scouting programme Abhishek Yadav told Reuters. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;We can&#39;t guarantee that we can unearth 20 players overnight. It&#39;s an attempt, which we believe might work. There&#39;s no harm in trying.&quot; 
 
The programme encourages anyone under 16 with an Indian passport to post, on a soon-to-be-launched portal, a two-minute video from a competitive match. 
 
&quot;We wanted to give the message that if you&#39;re talented, location should not be a problem. All you need is a passport and potential,&quot; said the former forward, who played 67 matches for India between 2002-2011. 
 
Yadav and his team are now focusing on the Gulf States, where a large number of expatriates still hold Indian passports. 
 
&quot;Maybe we can then expand it to U.S. and Australia, where we have many Indian students as well as parents who recently migrated there. We will also look at South Africa and Germany.&quot; 
 
While this has added to the buzz in the country around the hosting of the under-17 World Cup, not everyone believes India is standing on the cusp of a soccer resurgence. 
 
&quot;The fundamental difference between the neighbours is that China woke up long ago and played in World Cup finals before veering slightly off-track,&quot; soccer writer Jaydeep Basu told Reuters. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;With state support, they are now trying to get back on track. In contrast, India, I&#39;m afraid, is still in deep slumber,&quot; added Basu, who has written an anecdotal history of Indian soccer. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;&#39;Mission 11 Million&#39; has a nice ring to it but with only 3,000-odd certified coaches around, who&#39;ll teach these kids to play soccer?&quot; 
 
&nbsp;As well as the lack of qualified coaches, Basu cites a fast-shrinking number of pitches - China plans to build 70,000 around the country by 2020 - and paucity of infrastructure as the major handicaps for Indian soccer. 
 
MESSY MERGER OF LEAGUES 
 
The AIFF is also preoccupied with a messy merger of two Indian leagues, which jeopardises the future of several sides, including a couple of century-old clubs in Kolkata. 
 
The franchise-based India Super League (ISL), which is promoted by billionaire Mukesh Ambani&#39;s Reliance Industries and Rupert Murdoch&#39;s Star India TV, looks set to supplant the I-League. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m afraid the ISL franchises have no soccer pedigree and I doubt if they have any long-term commitment to the game either,&quot; Basu said. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;Who can guarantee they won&#39;t switch to another business if they suffer losses in ISL?&quot; 
 
&nbsp;There is, however, no denying the ISL&#39;s spectacular success in gaining a foothold in India&#39;s cricket-dominated sporting landscape since the 2014 launch of the league with celebrity owners. 
 
&nbsp;The ISL debuted as the fourth biggest soccer league with an average attendance lower only than Germany&#39;s Bundesliga, the English Premier League and Spain&#39;s La Liga. 
 
&nbsp;The government hopes next year&#39;s under-17 World Cup will further consolidate football&#39;s popularity in India, attracting kids who would otherwise be picking up bats and heading to the neighbourhood cricket academy. 
 
&nbsp;&quot;Our youth, the children in our schools, should be drenched in sweat just playing football,&quot; Modi said in his radio talk. 
 
&quot;If that happens, we shall have real fun playing the host. So, all of us should make the effort to ensure football reaches every village, street and alley.&quot; 
(Reuters)</div>

The country will launch a programme to engage more than 11 million children in activities related to the sport

An ambitious project to awaken a sleeping giant of Asian soccer looks like confirming Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen's famous remark that India pricks up its ears only when comparisons with China are made. With China embarked on a multi-billion dollar mission to become a soccer superpower by 2050, India looks set to follow suit with its own plan to raise its status in the game to match its burgeoning economic power. Come October, India, most famously described as soccer's sleeping giant by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, will launch a programme to engage more than 11 million children in soccer-related activities. All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials will not share details of the FIFA-backed programme yet, but according to a government statement, "Mission 11 Million" will be launched in about 30 cities across the country. As in China, where the soccer revolution was inspired by President Xi Jinping, the desire to improve India's standing in the world game goes to the very top. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March lamented India's decline from one of Asia's top soccer nations in the 1960s to its current position at 163rd in the FIFA rankings, sandwiched between the Comoros and Tajikistan. "Unfortunately, over the decades we have slipped to the lowest rungs," Modi said in his weekly radio talk. "Today our ranking in FIFA is so low that I feel reluctant even to mention it." With India hosting the under-17 World Cup next year, states have been asked to promote football in a pattern similar to the trend across the border in China. The world's most populous nation plans to engage 30 million school children by 2020 as the first step towards achieving Xi's "three wishes" for China - to qualify for a second World Cup finals, to host a World Cup and to eventually win one. TARGETING DIASPORA And while the AIFF are looking to engage as many of the country's 1.3 billion people as possible, they have also cast their net wider with a global scouting programme to identify talent in the Indian diaspora. "The idea is to increase the talent pool," former India captain and head of the scouting programme Abhishek Yadav told Reuters. "We can't guarantee that we can unearth 20 players overnight. It's an attempt, which we believe might work. There's no harm in trying." The programme encourages anyone under 16 with an Indian passport to post, on a soon-to-be-launched portal, a two-minute video from a competitive match. "We wanted to give the message that if you're talented, location should not be a problem. All you need is a passport and potential," said the former forward, who played 67 matches for India between 2002-2011. Yadav and his team are now focusing on the Gulf States, where a large number of expatriates still hold Indian passports. "Maybe we can then expand it to U.S. and Australia, where we have many Indian students as well as parents who recently migrated there. We will also look at South Africa and Germany." While this has added to the buzz in the country around the hosting of the under-17 World Cup, not everyone believes India is standing on the cusp of a soccer resurgence. "The fundamental difference between the neighbours is that China woke up long ago and played in World Cup finals before veering slightly off-track," soccer writer Jaydeep Basu told Reuters. "With state support, they are now trying to get back on track. In contrast, India, I'm afraid, is still in deep slumber," added Basu, who has written an anecdotal history of Indian soccer. "'Mission 11 Million' has a nice ring to it but with only 3,000-odd certified coaches around, who'll teach these kids to play soccer?" As well as the lack of qualified coaches, Basu cites a fast-shrinking number of pitches - China plans to build 70,000 around the country by 2020 - and paucity of infrastructure as the major handicaps for Indian soccer. MESSY MERGER OF LEAGUES The AIFF is also preoccupied with a messy merger of two Indian leagues, which jeopardises the future of several sides, including a couple of century-old clubs in Kolkata. The franchise-based India Super League (ISL), which is promoted by billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries and Rupert Murdoch's Star India TV, looks set to supplant the I-League. "I'm afraid the ISL franchises have no soccer pedigree and I doubt if they have any long-term commitment to the game either," Basu said. "Who can guarantee they won't switch to another business if they suffer losses in ISL?" There is, however, no denying the ISL's spectacular success in gaining a foothold in India's cricket-dominated sporting landscape since the 2014 launch of the league with celebrity owners. The ISL debuted as the fourth biggest soccer league with an average attendance lower only than Germany's Bundesliga, the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga. The government hopes next year's under-17 World Cup will further consolidate football's popularity in India, attracting kids who would otherwise be picking up bats and heading to the neighbourhood cricket academy. "Our youth, the children in our schools, should be drenched in sweat just playing football," Modi said in his radio talk. "If that happens, we shall have real fun playing the host. So, all of us should make the effort to ensure football reaches every village, street and alley." (Reuters)

'Mission 11 Million' to kickoff as India follows China's lead

Ireland manager Martin O&#39;Neill has warned his side to be prepared for a backlash when they take on a smarting Belgium in their European Championship match in Bordeaux on Saturday. 
 
Belgium, who were at number one in the FIFA rankings for the first three months of 2016 and second since then, suffered a 2-0 loss to Italy and slipped to the bottom of Group E. 
 
In contrast, a spirited Ireland side opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Sweden. 
 
&quot;Belgium are a really fine side, really fine,&quot; O&#39;Neill told reporters in France. 
 
&quot;Individually they are as talented as any side in the competition. They are very dangerous anyway, but even more so now they are a bit of a wounded animal.&quot; 
 
&quot;They will cause us problems so we have to show the same spirit and determination again and try and play as strongly with the ball as we did the other night.&quot; 
 
&quot;I think overall they have the players (to hurt us). If they are disappointed themselves with not playing well against Italy, they will feel they can rectify it.&quot; 
 
Ireland will conclude their group stage campaign against Italy on June 22. 
(Reuters)

Belgium, who were number one in the FIFA rankings for a few months of 2016, suffered a 2-0 loss to Italy and slipped to the bottom of Group

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has warned his side to be prepared for a backlash when they take on a smarting Belgium in their European Championship match in Bordeaux on Saturday. Belgium, who were at number one in the FIFA rankings for the first three months of 2016 and second since then, suffered a 2-0 loss to Italy and slipped to the bottom of Group E. In contrast, a spirited Ireland side opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Sweden. "Belgium are a really fine side, really fine," O'Neill told reporters in France. "Individually they are as talented as any side in the competition. They are very dangerous anyway, but even more so now they are a bit of a wounded animal." "They will cause us problems so we have to show the same spirit and determination again and try and play as strongly with the ball as we did the other night." "I think overall they have the players (to hurt us). If they are disappointed themselves with not playing well against Italy, they will feel they can rectify it." Ireland will conclude their group stage campaign against Italy on June 22. (Reuters)

O'Neill warns Ireland against 'wounded animal' Belgium

FIFA today named Tomaz Vesel, head of the Slovenian government&#39;s main auditing body, to lead world football&#39;s anti-corruption watchdog. 
 
FIFA leader Gianni Infantino said Vesel&#39;s appointment was an important move in the body&#39;s bid to &quot;restore trust&quot; after a series of football corruption scandals. 
 
The former head of FIFA&#39;s independent audit committee, Domenico Scala, quit in May in protest at what he called attacks on reforms by its new leadership. 
 
Vesel has been president of Slovenia&#39;s Court of Auditors, supervising state accounts, since 2013. He has also been an advisor for the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). 
 
Football&#39;s governing body remains under investigation by Swiss authorities while a number of former top officials face trials in the United States over more than $200 million in bribes paid for marketing and television contracts. 
 
Longtime FIFA leader Sepp Blatter is serving a six year suspension over a suspect two million dollar payment to former vice president Michel Platini who is also suspended. 
 
Infantino took charge of FIFA in February vowing a new era of trust and transparency but has faced a challenging time since with acting general secretary Markus Kattner suspended over millions of dollars of suspicious payments made to himself. 
 
&quot;The appointment of Mr Vesel as independent chairman of FIFA&#39;s audit and compliance committee is an important development in the ongoing effort to strengthen FIFA&#39;s governance and compliance systems,&quot; said Infantino. 
 
&quot;This is a vital role within the organization and Mr Vesel&#39;s audit expertise and international experience will help reassure stakeholders and restore trust in FIFA.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The former head of FIFA's independent audit committee, Domenico Scala, quit in May in protest at what he called attacks on reforms by its new leadership

FIFA today named Tomaz Vesel, head of the Slovenian government's main auditing body, to lead world football's anti-corruption watchdog. FIFA leader Gianni Infantino said Vesel's appointment was an important move in the body's bid to "restore trust" after a series of football corruption scandals. The former head of FIFA's independent audit committee, Domenico Scala, quit in May in protest at what he called attacks on reforms by its new leadership. Vesel has been president of Slovenia's Court of Auditors, supervising state accounts, since 2013. He has also been an advisor for the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Football's governing body remains under investigation by Swiss authorities while a number of former top officials face trials in the United States over more than $200 million in bribes paid for marketing and television contracts. Longtime FIFA leader Sepp Blatter is serving a six year suspension over a suspect two million dollar payment to former vice president Michel Platini who is also suspended. Infantino took charge of FIFA in February vowing a new era of trust and transparency but has faced a challenging time since with acting general secretary Markus Kattner suspended over millions of dollars of suspicious payments made to himself. "The appointment of Mr Vesel as independent chairman of FIFA's audit and compliance committee is an important development in the ongoing effort to strengthen FIFA's governance and compliance systems," said Infantino. "This is a vital role within the organization and Mr Vesel's audit expertise and international experience will help reassure stakeholders and restore trust in FIFA." (AFP)

Slovenian Vesel takes charge of FIFA corruption watchdog

Belgium sacked national coach Marc Wilmots today after their highly fancied team of talents failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 this month, Belgian Football Association president Francois De Keersmaecker said. 
 
&quot;The objectives set for the Euros were not achieved. We need a new momentum,&quot; he told a news conference. 
 
A search was under way for a coach with international experience to take over before a friendly against Spain on September 1 ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. 
 
He thanked Wilmots for his achievements over the past four years and said an understanding had been reached over Wilmots contract, which had a compensation clause if he were sacked. 
 
The former Schalke midfielder, 47, took the Red Devils to the quarter-finals of the last World Cup and top of FIFAs world ranking chart with a team built around Chelseas Eden Hazard and Manchester City pair Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne. 
 
But a clueless and disjointed 3-1 defeat to Wales in the Euro 2016 quarters left critics calling for Wilmotshead and Belgian fans wondering what happened to the team that many had hoped would deliver the countrys first major trophy. 
 
(Reuters)

A search is under way for a coach with international experience to take over on September 1 ahead of the World Cup qualifiers

Belgium sacked national coach Marc Wilmots today after their highly fancied team of talents failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 this month, Belgian Football Association president Francois De Keersmaecker said. "The objectives set for the Euros were not achieved. We need a new momentum," he told a news conference. A search was under way for a coach with international experience to take over before a friendly against Spain on September 1 ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. He thanked Wilmots for his achievements over the past four years and said an understanding had been reached over Wilmots contract, which had a compensation clause if he were sacked. The former Schalke midfielder, 47, took the Red Devils to the quarter-finals of the last World Cup and top of FIFAs world ranking chart with a team built around Chelseas Eden Hazard and Manchester City pair Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne. But a clueless and disjointed 3-1 defeat to Wales in the Euro 2016 quarters left critics calling for Wilmotshead and Belgian fans wondering what happened to the team that many had hoped would deliver the countrys first major trophy. (Reuters)

Belgium sack coach Wilmots after Euro disappointment

FIFA&#39;s ethics committee today banned Wolfgang Niersbach, former president of the German Football Association (DFB), for one year over misconduct surrounding the country&#39;s successful 2006 World Cup bid. 
 
&quot;Mr Niersbach has been banned for one year from all football-related activities,&quot; a statement from FIFA&#39;s in-house court said, noting that the German official &quot;failed to report findings about possible misconduct concerning the awarding of the 2006 FIFA World Cup&quot;. 
 
Niersbach served as vice-president of the 2006 World Cup organising committee. 
 
He resigned from the German federation last November amid accusations that the DFB used a slush fund of 10 million Swiss francs (6.7 million euros, $8 million, according to the exchange rate at that time) in 2000 to buy the right to host the tournament. 
 
The 65-year-old has said he will now consider whether to appeal the decision. &quot;This decision hits me very hard,&quot; Niersbach told SID, an AFP subsidiary. 
 
&quot;I think this sanction is inappropriate and over the top.&quot; &quot;I will let my lawyer advise me as to whether I will appeal against the decision.&quot; 
 
&quot;After the hearing in Zurich, I was confident that the Ethics Commission would impose no sanction. I have once again acknowledged and regretted my mistakes.&quot; 
 
Niersbach had insisted that quitting his job should have been punishment enough because he was not directly accused of paying bribes or financially benefitting from corruption. 
 
FIFA prosecutors sought a two-year ban, however, arguing that Niersbach should have spoken up sooner when he learned of possible wrongdoing. 
 
The ethics committee suspension will force his immediate removal from posts he currently holds on the FIFA Council and UEFA executive committee. 
 
FIFA opened a probe on March 22 targeting six people including Niersbach and Franz Beckenbauer, the German football legend and World Cup organising committee chief, over their roles in the bidding process, amid allegations of bribery. 
 
The FIFA investigation followed the release of a report commissioned by the DFB which found that Germany may have bought votes to secure the tournament. 
 
The report linked Beckenbauer to a suspect deal with disgraced former FIFA bigwig Jack Warner. 
 
(AFP)

FIFA prosecutors sought a two-year ban, however, arguing that Niersbach should have spoken up sooner when he learned of possible wrongdoing

FIFA's ethics committee today banned Wolfgang Niersbach, former president of the German Football Association (DFB), for one year over misconduct surrounding the country's successful 2006 World Cup bid. "Mr Niersbach has been banned for one year from all football-related activities," a statement from FIFA's in-house court said, noting that the German official "failed to report findings about possible misconduct concerning the awarding of the 2006 FIFA World Cup". Niersbach served as vice-president of the 2006 World Cup organising committee. He resigned from the German federation last November amid accusations that the DFB used a slush fund of 10 million Swiss francs (6.7 million euros, $8 million, according to the exchange rate at that time) in 2000 to buy the right to host the tournament. The 65-year-old has said he will now consider whether to appeal the decision. "This decision hits me very hard," Niersbach told SID, an AFP subsidiary. "I think this sanction is inappropriate and over the top." "I will let my lawyer advise me as to whether I will appeal against the decision." "After the hearing in Zurich, I was confident that the Ethics Commission would impose no sanction. I have once again acknowledged and regretted my mistakes." Niersbach had insisted that quitting his job should have been punishment enough because he was not directly accused of paying bribes or financially benefitting from corruption. FIFA prosecutors sought a two-year ban, however, arguing that Niersbach should have spoken up sooner when he learned of possible wrongdoing. The ethics committee suspension will force his immediate removal from posts he currently holds on the FIFA Council and UEFA executive committee. FIFA opened a probe on March 22 targeting six people including Niersbach and Franz Beckenbauer, the German football legend and World Cup organising committee chief, over their roles in the bidding process, amid allegations of bribery. The FIFA investigation followed the release of a report commissioned by the DFB which found that Germany may have bought votes to secure the tournament. The report linked Beckenbauer to a suspect deal with disgraced former FIFA bigwig Jack Warner. (AFP)

FIFA bans former German boss Wolfgang Niersbach

Soccer&#39;s world ruling body FIFA has promised &quot;appropriate steps&quot; after a report on Monday said a dozen positive doping cases in Russian football were among hundreds covered up by Moscow. 
 
However, FIFA did not comment directly on allegations in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report that Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who sits on its supervisory FIFA Council, had ordered the cover-up in the cases of the footballers. 
 
The independent WADA report, which followed an investigation led by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, concentrated on allegations of systematic doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. 
 
It said that Moscow had concealed hundreds of positive doping cases from a variety of sports, including soccer, in the run-up to the games. 
 
&quot;FIFA will request from WADA all details concerning the individual cases of doping in Russian football that are referred in the McClaren report,&quot; FIFA said in a statement to Reuters. 
 
&quot;Once FIFA receives this information from WADA, it will take the appropriate next steps.&quot; 
 
The report said that Russian Deputy Sports Minister Yuri Nagornykh had decided which athletes would benefit from a cover-up, known as a SAVE order, although Mutko appeared to make the decision with regard to footballers. 
 
&quot;The (chief investigator) is aware of at least one foreign footballer playing in the Russian League who had that benefit of a SAVE order,&quot; it said. 
 
&quot;That SAVE decision was made by Minister Mutko and not Deputy Minister Nagornykh.&quot; 
 
Eleven Russian footballers also benefited from a cover-up after failing a doping test, the report said. 
 
&quot;Email evidence available... shows that the SAVE decision for the football players was the final decision of &#39;VL&#39;. VL is the first name and patronymic name initials of the Minister of Sport, Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko.&quot; 
 
Mutko, president of the organising committee for the 2018 World Cup which will be hosted by Russia, has not commented since the release of the McLaren report. 
 
However, when the same allegations were made in June by German broadcaster ARD/WDR, he described them as &quot;silly&quot; and said that he and Russia were being smeared as payback for winning the right to host the 2018 World Cup. 
 
Asked bout Mutko&#39;s situation, FIFA said &quot;the Ethics Committee is an independent body of FIFA and only it can decide what actions to take in respect to this issue.&quot; 
 
The ethics committee could not immediately be reached for comment. 
 
(Reuters)

The report said a dozen doping cases in Russian football were among hundreds covered up by Moscow

Soccer's world ruling body FIFA has promised "appropriate steps" after a report on Monday said a dozen positive doping cases in Russian football were among hundreds covered up by Moscow. However, FIFA did not comment directly on allegations in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report that Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who sits on its supervisory FIFA Council, had ordered the cover-up in the cases of the footballers. The independent WADA report, which followed an investigation led by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, concentrated on allegations of systematic doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. It said that Moscow had concealed hundreds of positive doping cases from a variety of sports, including soccer, in the run-up to the games. "FIFA will request from WADA all details concerning the individual cases of doping in Russian football that are referred in the McClaren report," FIFA said in a statement to Reuters. "Once FIFA receives this information from WADA, it will take the appropriate next steps." The report said that Russian Deputy Sports Minister Yuri Nagornykh had decided which athletes would benefit from a cover-up, known as a SAVE order, although Mutko appeared to make the decision with regard to footballers. "The (chief investigator) is aware of at least one foreign footballer playing in the Russian League who had that benefit of a SAVE order," it said. "That SAVE decision was made by Minister Mutko and not Deputy Minister Nagornykh." Eleven Russian footballers also benefited from a cover-up after failing a doping test, the report said. "Email evidence available... shows that the SAVE decision for the football players was the final decision of 'VL'. VL is the first name and patronymic name initials of the Minister of Sport, Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko." Mutko, president of the organising committee for the 2018 World Cup which will be hosted by Russia, has not commented since the release of the McLaren report. However, when the same allegations were made in June by German broadcaster ARD/WDR, he described them as "silly" and said that he and Russia were being smeared as payback for winning the right to host the 2018 World Cup. Asked bout Mutko's situation, FIFA said "the Ethics Committee is an independent body of FIFA and only it can decide what actions to take in respect to this issue." The ethics committee could not immediately be reached for comment. (Reuters)

FIFA promises 'appropriate steps' after WADA report on doping in Russia

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has called on FIFA to investigate Russia&#39;s sports minister Vitaly Mutko, a member of the football world body&#39;s executive, over drug failures in football. 
 
A bombshell report on &quot;state-dictated&quot; doping in Russia, which will host the 2018 World Cup, said the manipulation of tainted Russian samples was controlled by Mutko&#39;s ministry. 
 
The investigation by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, released on Monday, did not provide evidence of a detailed implication by Mutko in decisions to protect drug-cheat athletes. 
 
But it said Mutko, president of the Russian football federation and chief organiser of the 2018 World Cup, took the decision to hide the doping case of a foreign player in the Russian football league. 
 
McLaren quoted Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov as saying it was &quot;inconceivable&quot; that Mutko did not know about the whole doping system. 
 
WADA called on FIFA to act on Mutko, a 57-year-old ally of President Vladimir Putin and sports minister since 2008. 
 
&quot;Another notable finding within the (McLaren) report is the role that one of FIFA&#39;s executive committee members, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, played within the system,&quot; said a WADA statement. 
 
&quot;Accordingly, WADA urges the FIFA ethics committee to look into the allegations concerning football and the role played by this member.&quot; 
 
The McLaren report said deputy sports minister Yuri Nagornykh had almost a daily responsibility for deciding which athletes would get a &quot;SAVE&quot; order and have failed tests manipulated or be put under &quot;QUARANTINE&quot;. 
 
The report added however that McLaren &quot;is aware of at least one foreign footballer playing in the Russian league who had that benefit of a SAVE order.&quot; 
 
&quot;That SAVE decision was made by Minister Mutko and not Deputy Minister Nagornykh.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
It said 11 footballers in all had drug cases covered up. 
 
It quoted email evidence as saying that &quot;the SAVE decision for the football players was the final decision of &#39;VL&#39;. 
 
&quot;VL is the first name and patronymic name initials of the Minister of Sport Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko, who is also the president of the Russian football federation.&quot; 
 
FIFA acknowledged the WADA call but said its ethics committee is independent &quot;and only it can decide what actions to take in respect to this issue. 
 
&quot;For its part, FIFA will request from WADA all details concerning the individual cases of doping in Russian football that are referenced in the McLaren report. Once FIFA receives this information from WADA, it will take the appropriate next steps.&quot; 
 
Mutko is due to stand for re-election to FIFA in March.&nbsp; 
 
The Kremlin said officials &quot;directly&quot; implicated by the report would be suspended but did not name them and attacked what it called the &quot;dangerous&quot; new &quot;interference of politics in sport.&quot; 
 
WADA president Craig Reedie demanded that the Russian government sack all sports ministry officials &quot;implicated&quot; by the McLaren report, but did not name any individuals. 
 
Much of the McLaren report is based on evidence provided by Rodchenkov, former director of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory now in hiding in the United States. 
 
Rodchenkov told the inquiry that in meetings with deputy minister Nagornykh on the doping cover-up, &quot;Nagornykh told him that Minister of Sport Mutko was aware of everything that they were discussing. 
 
&quot;Dr Rodchenkov`s evidence is that it is inconceivable that Minister Mutko was not aware of the doping cover-up scheme.&quot; 
 
The Kremlin has slammed Rodchenkov as &quot;a person with a scandalous reputation.&quot; 
&nbsp; 
Rodchenkov is now under criminal investigation by Russian authorities. 
&nbsp; 
The McLaren report said however that there were &quot;several documents which tend to corroborate Dr Rodechenkov&#39;s conclusion.&quot; 
 
Rodchenkov said he discussed a response to a German television documentary last year on doping in Russian athletics with Mutko. 
 
The whistleblower added that he met with Mutko before the Sochi Olympics. &quot;Dr Rodchenkov`s evidence is that the doping cover up plan for Sochi was discussed at those meetings.&quot; 
 
Rodchenkov also testified that Mutko knew about bribes allegedly paid to former International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack to cover up doping failures by race walkers. 
 
&quot;Dr Rodchenkov&#39;s evidence is that in September 2012 he met with Minister Mutko to discuss the IAAF&#39;s extorsion demand. 
 
&quot;At that meeting, Minister Mutko asked Dr Rodchenkov whether the situation was really so bad he needed to pay all of that money, thereby exposing his knowledge of the doping problem in Russian athletics.&quot; 
 
McLaren made clear the power of the sports ministry, refered to as the MofS, over the Moscow and Sochi doping laboratories during the Winter Olympics and other events. 
 
&quot;The Moscow laboratory was effectively caught up in the jaws of a vice. It was a key player in the successful operation of a state imposed and rigorously imposed programme which was overall managed and dictated by the MofS.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The investigation by lawyer Richard McLaren revealed that the manipulation of samples was controlled by Vitaly Mutko's ministry

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has called on FIFA to investigate Russia's sports minister Vitaly Mutko, a member of the football world body's executive, over drug failures in football. A bombshell report on "state-dictated" doping in Russia, which will host the 2018 World Cup, said the manipulation of tainted Russian samples was controlled by Mutko's ministry. The investigation by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, released on Monday, did not provide evidence of a detailed implication by Mutko in decisions to protect drug-cheat athletes. But it said Mutko, president of the Russian football federation and chief organiser of the 2018 World Cup, took the decision to hide the doping case of a foreign player in the Russian football league. McLaren quoted Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov as saying it was "inconceivable" that Mutko did not know about the whole doping system. WADA called on FIFA to act on Mutko, a 57-year-old ally of President Vladimir Putin and sports minister since 2008. "Another notable finding within the (McLaren) report is the role that one of FIFA's executive committee members, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, played within the system," said a WADA statement. "Accordingly, WADA urges the FIFA ethics committee to look into the allegations concerning football and the role played by this member." The McLaren report said deputy sports minister Yuri Nagornykh had almost a daily responsibility for deciding which athletes would get a "SAVE" order and have failed tests manipulated or be put under "QUARANTINE". The report added however that McLaren "is aware of at least one foreign footballer playing in the Russian league who had that benefit of a SAVE order." "That SAVE decision was made by Minister Mutko and not Deputy Minister Nagornykh." It said 11 footballers in all had drug cases covered up. It quoted email evidence as saying that "the SAVE decision for the football players was the final decision of 'VL'. "VL is the first name and patronymic name initials of the Minister of Sport Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko, who is also the president of the Russian football federation." FIFA acknowledged the WADA call but said its ethics committee is independent "and only it can decide what actions to take in respect to this issue. "For its part, FIFA will request from WADA all details concerning the individual cases of doping in Russian football that are referenced in the McLaren report. Once FIFA receives this information from WADA, it will take the appropriate next steps." Mutko is due to stand for re-election to FIFA in March. The Kremlin said officials "directly" implicated by the report would be suspended but did not name them and attacked what it called the "dangerous" new "interference of politics in sport." WADA president Craig Reedie demanded that the Russian government sack all sports ministry officials "implicated" by the McLaren report, but did not name any individuals. Much of the McLaren report is based on evidence provided by Rodchenkov, former director of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory now in hiding in the United States. Rodchenkov told the inquiry that in meetings with deputy minister Nagornykh on the doping cover-up, "Nagornykh told him that Minister of Sport Mutko was aware of everything that they were discussing. "Dr Rodchenkov`s evidence is that it is inconceivable that Minister Mutko was not aware of the doping cover-up scheme." The Kremlin has slammed Rodchenkov as "a person with a scandalous reputation." Rodchenkov is now under criminal investigation by Russian authorities. The McLaren report said however that there were "several documents which tend to corroborate Dr Rodechenkov's conclusion." Rodchenkov said he discussed a response to a German television documentary last year on doping in Russian athletics with Mutko. The whistleblower added that he met with Mutko before the Sochi Olympics. "Dr Rodchenkov`s evidence is that the doping cover up plan for Sochi was discussed at those meetings." Rodchenkov also testified that Mutko knew about bribes allegedly paid to former International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack to cover up doping failures by race walkers. "Dr Rodchenkov's evidence is that in September 2012 he met with Minister Mutko to discuss the IAAF's extorsion demand. "At that meeting, Minister Mutko asked Dr Rodchenkov whether the situation was really so bad he needed to pay all of that money, thereby exposing his knowledge of the doping problem in Russian athletics." McLaren made clear the power of the sports ministry, refered to as the MofS, over the Moscow and Sochi doping laboratories during the Winter Olympics and other events. "The Moscow laboratory was effectively caught up in the jaws of a vice. It was a key player in the successful operation of a state imposed and rigorously imposed programme which was overall managed and dictated by the MofS." (AFP)

Russian sports minister Mutko in doping controversy spotlight

Russia&#39;s scandal-mired sports minister said today that four more officials have been suspended over allegations of state-run doping as the International Olympic Committee weighs banning the country from the Rio Games. 
 
Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport news agency that his adviser, Natalya Zhelanova, senior sporting officials, Avak Abalyan and Irina Rodionova, and Moscow anti-doping laboratory deputy head, Yury Chizov, were all temporarily suspended after being named in a bombshell report released on Monday. 
 
A damning report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) detailed an elaborate cheating scheme run by the sports ministry that affected 30 sports with help from the FSB state intelligence agency. 
 
The Kremlin on Monday pledged to suspend all those implicated and deputy sports minister Yury Nagornykh, described as the point man for running the programme, became the first head to roll. 
 
The WADA probe by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren quoted Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov as saying it was &quot;inconceivable&quot; that Mutko did not know about the whole doping system. 
 
But the Kremlin has said that it is sticking by Mutko and he insisted that there &quot;were not and cannot be any allegations directed against me&quot;. 
 
&quot;Everything the minister does is always connected only with the fight against doping,&quot; he told R-Sport. 
 
In connection with the report, WADA also called on FIFA to investigate Mutko, a member of the football world body&#39;s executive, over drug failures in football. 
 
While it found no smoking gun directly linking Mutko to the broader programme to protect drug cheats it said Mutko took the decision to cover up the doping case of a foreign player in the Russian football league. 
 
(AFP)

Vitaly Mutko said his adviser, along with two sporting officials and Moscow anti-doping laboratory deputy head, were temporarily suspended

Russia's scandal-mired sports minister said today that four more officials have been suspended over allegations of state-run doping as the International Olympic Committee weighs banning the country from the Rio Games. Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport news agency that his adviser, Natalya Zhelanova, senior sporting officials, Avak Abalyan and Irina Rodionova, and Moscow anti-doping laboratory deputy head, Yury Chizov, were all temporarily suspended after being named in a bombshell report released on Monday. A damning report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) detailed an elaborate cheating scheme run by the sports ministry that affected 30 sports with help from the FSB state intelligence agency. The Kremlin on Monday pledged to suspend all those implicated and deputy sports minister Yury Nagornykh, described as the point man for running the programme, became the first head to roll. The WADA probe by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren quoted Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov as saying it was "inconceivable" that Mutko did not know about the whole doping system. But the Kremlin has said that it is sticking by Mutko and he insisted that there "were not and cannot be any allegations directed against me". "Everything the minister does is always connected only with the fight against doping," he told R-Sport. In connection with the report, WADA also called on FIFA to investigate Mutko, a member of the football world body's executive, over drug failures in football. While it found no smoking gun directly linking Mutko to the broader programme to protect drug cheats it said Mutko took the decision to cover up the doping case of a foreign player in the Russian football league. (AFP)

Russia suspends four more anti-doping officials

Line&#39;s dream is about to become a reality, the 14-year-old Jordanian girl will make history later this year when she takes part in her first ever football world cup. 
 
FIFA&#39;s U-17 Women&#39;s World Cup will kick off on September 30 in Jordan, the first time a Middle Eastern country hosts an international women&#39;s football competition. 
 
Line and 20 other girl footballers, including devout Muslims, their heads covered by a scarf, have been practising hard for the tournament with a British coach. 
 
&quot;Here in Jordan... it was frowned upon to see a girl play football. But now things have changed,&quot; Line said. 
 
She still remembers how she defied social conventions in the conservative kingdom when at a younger age she decided to join the boys of her neighbourhood in a game of football. 
 
Jordan - a key ally of the West - is a Muslim country with a Christian minority but both communities are weighed down by religious and social constraints like other nations in the Middle East. 
 
For decades football was hands off for women but that changed in 2005 when the Jordanian federation - headed by Prince Ali, a half-brother of King Abdullah II - formed the first national female team. 
 
Ali, an ex-vice president of FIFA who ran but failed to be elected president of football&#39;s world governing body, is credited with having helped Jordan&#39;s bid to host the under-17 girls&#39; tournament. 
 
In May, FIFA said on its website that the first Jordanian women players who took to the pitch more than a decade ago &quot;have impressed&quot; and &quot;did not disappoint&quot;. 
 
British coach Robbie Johnson is confident that the under-17 girls team will shine at the upcoming world cup. 
 
Break stereotypes 
 
&quot;This particular group are certainly keen to make a mark and certainly put the Middle East on the map,&quot; Johnson told AFP as he worked the girls on one practice night. 
 
&quot;It can be definitely the start of something to say to women, particularly in the Middle East or in the Gulf states as well: Look you can actually play and compete,&quot; he said. 
 
The girls&#39; training for the big day is tough. 
 
Line - a striker - and teammates listen carefully as the coach details his strategy with specific instructions to the wingers and goalkeepers, while parents sit back and watch the practice unfold. 
 
&quot;My goal is to get these players as competitive as possible and then who knows what may happen,&quot; said Johnson. 
 
Organisers of the tournament say it will reverberate beyond the pitch and contribute to change in Jordan and the wider Arab world. 
 
&quot;We are using football like a platform for social change,&quot; said Samar Nassar, a former member of Jordan&#39;s national swimming team who heads the kingdom&#39;s organising committee. 
 
The upcoming tournament &quot;is an opportunity to create a durable heritage for Jordan and the region,&quot; that would help challenge stereotypes and empower women, she said. 
 
Line agrees. Football &quot;has taught me many things. I feel more responsible and I have become more sociable.&quot; 
 
&#39;Unforgettable experience&#39; 
 
Jordanian female athlete Yasmeen Khair, is one such woman whose name is linked to change. 
 
A gymnast who won several awards over the years and the nickname &quot;the kingdom&#39;s butterfly&quot;, Khair was among the first women football players to play for Jordan. 
 
FIFA chose her as &quot;ambassador&quot; of the under-17 world cup. 
 
Her mission is two-fold, to promote the tournament and raise awareness of girls&#39; football. 
 
&quot;I speak to girls a lot. I tell them they must live this rich and unforgettable experience,&quot; she said. 
 
Khair said the beginnings of women&#39;s football in 2005 was tough. 
 
&quot;We had to face a lot of difficulties but bit by bit things began to change,&quot; she said, recalling how interest in female football grew in Jordan &quot;especially that we won more tournaments than the men&quot;. 
 
On its webpage, FIFA quoted Khader Eid, a former coach of the women&#39;s national team, recalling some of the hurdles that had to be overcome. 
 
&quot;We were conscious of the difficulties we would encounter to coach these young girls while respecting traditions and getting through to their families,&quot; he said. 
 
Jordan now counts 720 registered women players, a small number in a country with a population of 6.6 million but still a &quot;decisive step&quot; for women&#39;s football, according to FIFA. 
 
(AFP)

Jordan will hold FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, an international women's football competition, for the first time on September 30

Line's dream is about to become a reality, the 14-year-old Jordanian girl will make history later this year when she takes part in her first ever football world cup. FIFA's U-17 Women's World Cup will kick off on September 30 in Jordan, the first time a Middle Eastern country hosts an international women's football competition. Line and 20 other girl footballers, including devout Muslims, their heads covered by a scarf, have been practising hard for the tournament with a British coach. "Here in Jordan... it was frowned upon to see a girl play football. But now things have changed," Line said. She still remembers how she defied social conventions in the conservative kingdom when at a younger age she decided to join the boys of her neighbourhood in a game of football. Jordan - a key ally of the West - is a Muslim country with a Christian minority but both communities are weighed down by religious and social constraints like other nations in the Middle East. For decades football was hands off for women but that changed in 2005 when the Jordanian federation - headed by Prince Ali, a half-brother of King Abdullah II - formed the first national female team. Ali, an ex-vice president of FIFA who ran but failed to be elected president of football's world governing body, is credited with having helped Jordan's bid to host the under-17 girls' tournament. In May, FIFA said on its website that the first Jordanian women players who took to the pitch more than a decade ago "have impressed" and "did not disappoint". British coach Robbie Johnson is confident that the under-17 girls team will shine at the upcoming world cup. Break stereotypes "This particular group are certainly keen to make a mark and certainly put the Middle East on the map," Johnson told AFP as he worked the girls on one practice night. "It can be definitely the start of something to say to women, particularly in the Middle East or in the Gulf states as well: Look you can actually play and compete," he said. The girls' training for the big day is tough. Line - a striker - and teammates listen carefully as the coach details his strategy with specific instructions to the wingers and goalkeepers, while parents sit back and watch the practice unfold. "My goal is to get these players as competitive as possible and then who knows what may happen," said Johnson. Organisers of the tournament say it will reverberate beyond the pitch and contribute to change in Jordan and the wider Arab world. "We are using football like a platform for social change," said Samar Nassar, a former member of Jordan's national swimming team who heads the kingdom's organising committee. The upcoming tournament "is an opportunity to create a durable heritage for Jordan and the region," that would help challenge stereotypes and empower women, she said. Line agrees. Football "has taught me many things. I feel more responsible and I have become more sociable." 'Unforgettable experience' Jordanian female athlete Yasmeen Khair, is one such woman whose name is linked to change. A gymnast who won several awards over the years and the nickname "the kingdom's butterfly", Khair was among the first women football players to play for Jordan. FIFA chose her as "ambassador" of the under-17 world cup. Her mission is two-fold, to promote the tournament and raise awareness of girls' football. "I speak to girls a lot. I tell them they must live this rich and unforgettable experience," she said. Khair said the beginnings of women's football in 2005 was tough. "We had to face a lot of difficulties but bit by bit things began to change," she said, recalling how interest in female football grew in Jordan "especially that we won more tournaments than the men". On its webpage, FIFA quoted Khader Eid, a former coach of the women's national team, recalling some of the hurdles that had to be overcome. "We were conscious of the difficulties we would encounter to coach these young girls while respecting traditions and getting through to their families," he said. Jordan now counts 720 registered women players, a small number in a country with a population of 6.6 million but still a "decisive step" for women's football, according to FIFA. (AFP)

Jordan women take to football pitch to end stereotypes

Propelled by an impressive European Championship campaign, Wales climbed 15 places to move into 11th, two places ahead of England, in the FIFA world rankings released today. 
 
Chris Coleman`s charges reached the last four in France in Wales` first major tournament since 1958 and lost to eventual winners Portugal.&nbsp; 
 
England, the 1966 World Cup winners, exited in the round of 16 after a humiliating defeat to Iceland which saw them drop two places to 13th. 
 
Iceland, the smallest nation ever to have qualified for the European Championship, with a population of 330,000, saw their fairytale run end in the quarter-finals but saw their rankings jump 12 places to 22. 
 
There were no changes in the top five rankings with Copa America finalists Argentina retaining top spot, followed by Belgium, Colombia, Germany and Chile. 
 
Five times World champions Brazil, who failed to progress past the group stages of Copa America for the first time since 1987, are on the brink of dropping out of the top 10, ranked at ninth, ahead of Italy. 
 
European Championship finalists France jumped 10 places to move to 7th, one place behind winners Portugal. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

No changes in top 5 rankings with Copa America finalists Argentina retaining top spot, followed by Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Chile

Propelled by an impressive European Championship campaign, Wales climbed 15 places to move into 11th, two places ahead of England, in the FIFA world rankings released today. Chris Coleman`s charges reached the last four in France in Wales` first major tournament since 1958 and lost to eventual winners Portugal. England, the 1966 World Cup winners, exited in the round of 16 after a humiliating defeat to Iceland which saw them drop two places to 13th. Iceland, the smallest nation ever to have qualified for the European Championship, with a population of 330,000, saw their fairytale run end in the quarter-finals but saw their rankings jump 12 places to 22. There were no changes in the top five rankings with Copa America finalists Argentina retaining top spot, followed by Belgium, Colombia, Germany and Chile. Five times World champions Brazil, who failed to progress past the group stages of Copa America for the first time since 1987, are on the brink of dropping out of the top 10, ranked at ninth, ahead of Italy. European Championship finalists France jumped 10 places to move to 7th, one place behind winners Portugal. (Reuters)

Wales climbs 15 spots, overtakes England in FIFA rankings?

fifa

Fifa, News on Fifa, stories on Fifa, articles on Fifa, Fifa stories at Wion, Fifa news, Fifa latest news