Man of the week
“Fifa’s not fit for practice. It needs a whole reclean, perhaps a look at the location, the people, the staffing, certainly the transparency and the governance. The money that Fifa has got is off the back of players” – PFA head Gordon Taylor, paid £3.36m last year, up £2.2m on 2013.
Meanwhile
Also taking a stand: Coca-Cola, calling for Sepp to go now for the good of the game. The firm signed their current 16-year Fifa deal in 2005, three years after a leaked audit showed Sepp spending £340m on “cronyism”, “corruption” and favours for Jack Warner. Sepp denied wrongdoing.
Fresh start news
Making ground last week after Michel Platini’s campaign wobbled: South Korean billionaire Chung Mong-joon, also still the focus of an ethics inquiry, setting out his vision: “I will mobilise all my experience and resources for the rebirth, the renaissance, of Fifa”; and Nigeria’s Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, now backed by John Fashanu and former Fifa official Amos Adamu. Adamu, banned for bribery in 2010, told local media: “If we sell his candidacy well who says he cannot win? I’m using my contacts.”
And elsewhere last week
• Bolivia’s FA head Carlos Chávez, still running his FA from prison while denying fraud and organised crime charges, sending a letter warning colleagues to respect his authority: “Only I can sign contracts and cheques.”
• Former Brazil FA head José Maria Marin agreeing his extradition terms with US officials – reportedly paying $10m bail in return for being allowed to live under house arrest in his luxury Trump Tower apartment. Marin denies wrongdoing.
• And Russia 2018 head Vitaly Mutko clarifying what he meant by telling reporters he was avoiding all travel to Switzerland in light of “recent events”: “My tone was misinterpreted. Speaking about being afraid to go to Switzerland … I was just joking.”
Other news: banner of the week
Italy: Brescia and AGSM Verona women’s teams displaying a banner calling for more FA support and funding for women’s football: “There are points to be won which are worth more than those in the table.” The FA fined both teams.
• In May FA official Felice Belloli set out his view on the funding issue: “Enough! We can’t keep talking about giving money to this bunch of lesbians.”
How transparency works
16 Sep: Boris Johnson reacts to an information commissioner ruling that his officials should stop blocking freedom of information requests about West Ham’s Olympic Stadium deal. “I’m very happy to get the information out there. Get it out there; we have nothing to hide.” 1 Oct: Officials appeal against the ruling, due to commercial sensitivity.
Consolation of the week
Neymar: staying upbeat after having £31.3m of assets frozen over alleged tax evasion – thanking God for giving him the strength to buy a new £200,000 Ferarri Spider 458. “With the fruits of my labour, I realise a boyhood dream.”
Steve Evans of the week
3 Sep: Rotherham manager Steve Evans: “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to tell Steve Evans we’ve started poorly.” 14 Sep: “The chairman has given me his support, and that’s no surprise to Steve Evans.” 28 Sep: “Myself and the chairman hugged and embraced and there were tears on both sides. It was a very emotional moment for Steve Evans to watch his chairman shed lots of tears and be very emotional knowing we were going to formally part. But Steve Evans had to make a decision for Steve Evans.”
Also moving on: • Bosnian club Drina Zvornik sacking coach Vladica Petrovic by posting the news on Facebook without telling him first. Petrovic “liked” the post and replied: “Thanks for the notice.”
• June: Brentford owner Matthew Benham hires coach Marinus Dijkhuizen with an innovative long-term brief: “We wanted someone who could share our vision. We want to be an innovative club in everything we do.” Sep: Sacks him.
• And one to watch: Leeds owner Massimo Cellino on Uwe Rösler: “Believe me, I’m going to let this work.”
Respect campaign news: most chastened
• Curaçao: Victory Boys player Orville Barnett, punched to the ground by the linesman he tried to confront. Local media reported match officials had completed their pre-game warm-up wearing “Stop The Violence” T-shirts.
• Brazil: Federação Mineira de Futebol officials ruling out a ban for referee Gabriel Murta after he pulled a gun during a row with players. Referees’ head Giuliano Bozzano: “He’s psychologically clean, and he showed restraint. His finger was never on the trigger.”
Most consistent
Tanzania: Mbeya City defender Juma Said, banned for two years for “finger poking an opponent’s backside” for the fourth time in his career. Tanzania Daily News: “This defender has not learned from his mistakes.” Previous victim Elius Maguri: “He’s just not a good person.”
Plus: saddest exit
Brazil: Ronaldinho, leaving Fluminense after nine games, then rolling his car into a ditch. Brother and agent Robert de Assis says the mood remains upbeat. “We’re studying the offers that are coming in. Will he retire? Are you crazy? You’ll have more surprises yet.”
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