Governing Bodies

What FIFA frowns at in Africa holds in Spain as government takes over FA

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2024

Spain press conference to announce their new women's coach and the nations league squad - Ciudad Del Futbol Las Rozas, Las Rozas, Spain - September 15, 2023 The logo of the Royal Spanish Football Federation is pictured on their building before the press conference REUTERS/Isabel Infantes/File Photo

It often happens in Africa -government taking over the running of football, but FIFA reacts promptly with actual ban or threat.

Now the Spanish government on Thursday announced the creation of a special committee to oversee the country’s football federation (RFEF) until the governing body holds new elections.

The decision was taken “in response to the crisis in the organisation and in defence of the general interest of Spain”. the National Sports Council (CSD), which is the government agency responsible for sport, said in a statement.

The move followed months of scandals including a corruption investigation and an unsolicited kiss from former RFEF chief Luis Rubiales to player Jenni Hermoso during the on-pitch awards ceremony after Spain’s women’s World Cup triumph in Sydney.

“The Spanish government has taken this decision in order to correct the serious situation that the RFEF is going through and to allow the organisation to begin a period of regeneration,” the CSD said.

“This Commission for Supervision, Normalisation and Representation will be headed by independent persons of recognised prestige.”

Spain is trying to move on from the issues within the RFEF as it gears up to co-host the 2030 World Cup.

FIFA and UEFA say they are closely monitoring the situation with great concern. FIFA regulations state that members shall manage their affairs independently and without influence from third parties.

“FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD’s appointment of the so-called ‘Supervision, Normalisation and Representation Commission’ may affect the RFEF’s obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference,” they said in a joint statement.

Investigations over a multi-million euro corruption probe during Rubiales’ tenure led to other RFEF executives being fired after police raided the organisation’s headquarters in Madrid last month.

Rocha, who was acting as RFEF stand-in president and hoped to be anointed permanently, was placed under investigation by a judge this month after testifying as a witness in court. He was the sole candidate to succeed Rubiales.

Rocha said on April 16 he had “no knowledge nor, therefore, any responsibility for the facts that are being investigated”.

An apartment belonging to Rubiales was also raided as part of an investigation into the alleged corruption.

Rubiales was banned on Oct. 30 by world soccer’s governing body FIFA for three years from all football-related activities following the kiss, which was done allegedly without consent.

The CSD also postponed until Tuesday a decision on whether to take action in relation to disciplinary proceedings opened against Rocha on which the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD)will rule in the coming weeks.

The RFEF said in a statement this month that the TAD case was not related to the corruption probe but rather whether the federation overstepped its duties after Rubiales resigned.

Rocha’s office said in a statement this month that the irregularities in TAD’s case would be challenged.

Governing Bodies

FIFA gets new Secretary General

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Swedish official Mattias Grafström has been appointed as FIFA's secretary general ad interim with immediate effect ©Getty Images

FIFA has appointed a new Secretary General. He is Mattias Grafström. His appointment was sequel to his nomination on an ad interim basis in October 2023. The Sweden/Netherlands national now takes over from Fatma Samoura who stepped down last year.

“I am humbled and deeply honoured to have been appointed FIFA Secretary General and I would like to thank the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, the Confederation Presidents, the Vice-Presidents and the members of FIFA Council for having trusted me to serve football in such an important position,” said Secretary General Mattias Grafström.

“Football is my passion since I was born. I started playing it as a child and worked in football all my life at all different levels. There are therefore no words to express my feelings as I accept with pride and with a great sense of responsibility, the biggest challenge of my professional life. Together with the FIFA team, I will of course dedicate myself more than ever to the service of our beautiful game of football, FIFA and its 211 Member Associations.”

Governing Bodies

FIFA set to introduce Women’s Club World Cup

Published

3 days ago

May 15, 2024

Kunle Solaja

A new women’ football tournament is in the offing as FIFA has muted the idea of a 16-team FIFA Women’s World Cup. The first edition is projected to hold in January-February 2026. This is one of the landmark decision of the FIFA Council while approving the Women’s International Match Calendar 2026-2029. The meeting of the FIFA Council is part of the 74^{^th} FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.

The approved FIFA Calendar for women’s football runs thus:

FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025™: The first edition of the event will take place in the Philippines.

FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ Morocco 2025-2029: The slot allocation will be as follows: AFC: 4; CAF: 5; Concacaf: 4; CONMEBOL: 4; OFC: 2; UEFA: 5.

FIFA U-17 World Cup™ Qatar 2025-2029: The slot allocation was confirmed as follows: AFC: 9; CAF: 10; Concacaf: 8; CONMEBOL: 7; OFC: 3; UEFA 11.

FIFA Arab Cup: At the request of the Qatar Football Association, Qatar will host the tournament in 2025, 2029 and 2033, which will follow the principle of an invitational competition not included in the International Match Calendar.

Governing Bodies

FIFA may face legal action from players’ union, leagues over packed schedule

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

World Cup Was Expanded To Help Scotland Qualify, FIFA's Infantino Jokes -

World soccer governing body FIFA has been urged to review plans of hosting a 32-team Club World Cup at the end of next season or face legal action from global players’ union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association, the BBC reported late on Thursday.

All three European club competitions will be expanded to 36 teams from next season. In addition to that, a 32-team FIFA Club World Cup is set to be hosted in the United States next year from June 15 to July 13.

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) and the World Leagues Association (WLA) expressed their concern over the expanded competitions in a letter reviewed by BBC Sport, opens new tab and addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom.

The letter said the global football calendar is “beyond saturation” and that national leagues are unable to properly organise their competitions, while players are being pushed beyond their limits, with significant injury risks.

The letter further said the burden “is inherently abusive … (and) jeopardising national leagues and affecting the health and wellbeing of players.”

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter, and FIFPRO and WLA have not answered a request for further information on their concerns.

FIFPRO and WLA are aiming to discuss their issues before the soccer body’s ruling council at the 211-member federation’s meeting on May 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.

If FIFA refuses to commit to resolving the issues, FIFPRO and WLA will advise their members of their options, including taking legal action against FIFA, the BBC reported the letter as saying.

-Reuters