New Fifa: man of the week
Issa Hayatou – stepping up to deliver “Fifa’s reform process and reclaim public trust”, five months after he delivered Sepp’s re-election. Hayatou told “Dear Sepp” at Africa’s pre-vote congress: “In Africa you are never on some strange, hostile territory. You are always at home here. Africa stands with you; Africa stays with you. To us, you are the man of the situation.”
• Asked in April whether relying on Hayatou’s backing looked right, given the African football head’s history with kickbacks, Sepp told reporters: “This is an absolutely disgusting declaration you are doing. I reject it.”
Also standing by
Ángel María Villar: set to serve as Uefa’s interim head if they suspend Michel Platini. Villar, also subject of a reported ethics inquiry, led 2010’s Fifa fightback against British press intrusion, telling congress: “Enough of this slander! Fifa is clean, whatever they say.”
• Backing his elevation: son Gorka Villar – a member of Fifa’s reform committee, who last month denied extorting money from eight Uruguayan clubs.
And one to watch
Chairing the Fifa appeals committee tasked with ruling on Sepp’s ban: Bermuda’s Larry Mussenden, who set out his position in June. “We stand on the principle of good governance, and we commend President Blatter for all his good work.”
Elsewhere last week
• Best comic timing – September: Uganda’s FA president Moses Magogo wins promotion to Fifa’s Security and Integrity Committee. October: Uganda’s FA targeted by the nation’s Financial Intelligence Authority investigating alleged money-laundering. Magogo: “It’s business as usual. There is no crisis here.”
• Best self-defence: Ghana FA head Kwesi Nyantakyi, telling “wicked” local journalists to lay off. “Why is everything about Kwesi Nyantakyi? When there’s no water for the pitch it is Kwesi Nyantakyi. When the badminton or swimming association hasn’t got its money, it’s Kwesi Nyantatkyi … It’s ridiculous … Kwesi Nyantakyi must be crucified by all means.”
• Most resilient: Zimbabwe FA head Cuthbert Dube - denying wrongdoing and demanding a £650,000 payout after officials deposed him and his board. “I want my money. I will be the first person to knock on Zifa doors tomorrow.”
• And still in the game: Guayana’s FA confirming there is “nothing to stop” former head Colin Klass running in their November elections after he completed his 26-month bribery ban. The formal report into Fifa’s 2011 cash-for-votes scandal described how Klass had behaved at the event, noting: “Mr Klass asked: ‘Why is this door locked? Are there people getting bribed around here?’ The male [official] then allowed Mr Klass to enter the room, which he exited after a few minutes … Mr Klass had a smile on his face, and was slightly giggling.”
Other news: deal of the week
Greece: Olympiakos – whose owner Evangelos Marinakis denies match-fixing, bribery and having an ex-referee’s bakery blown up – unveiling an online betting firm as its new shirt sponsor, replacing the current deal with Unicef.
Contrition of the week
El Salvador: Primera División Sonsonate’s president Pedro Contreras clarifying his position after being caught on camera “upset and aided by drink” telling coach Héctor Jara: “You’re a total mediocrity, the worst coach ever.” Contreras: “Let me make it clear. I apologise to Héctor, I apologise to everyone, I apologise to God.” Jara: “I accept.”
Wisest words
Brazil, 3 Oct: Bahia president Marcelo Sant’Ana on coach Sérgio Soares. “Fans must come to realise that while sacking a coach is often the easiest thing to do, that doesn’t make it the right thing to do. We trust in Sergio.” 6 Oct: “We wish Sergio well for the future.”
Confusing week for
Baseball: Colorado Rockies’ shortstop Brendan Rodgers, receiving condolences on Twitter. @Broddddd3: “IM NOT THE LIVER POOL MANAGER.”
Ad of the week
Moldova: an unnamed club recruiting via an agent on Linkedin: “One of the best clubs from Moldova is looking for the striker. Club is serious and have big ambitions. Striker must be fast and strong with good character (no disco dancer and who likes alcohol, cigarette). 21-27 years old. Please, don’t offer Africans. Don’t offer players from second division of Balkans. Send all players in private message.”
Most measured
Brazil: Goiás president Sérgio Rassi, asked to rate his players after a defeat. “Shameful, in every way. There’s no effort, honesty, decency … just scoundrels who take and give nothing back. From now on I will treat them as they deserve: badly, with zero humanity.” Striker Zé Love: “The president speaks his mind.”
Soundest philosophy
Italy: Inter striker Mauro Icardi, reportedly sacking his agent of 10 years and replacing him with wife Wanda Nara, the ex-partner of former team-mate Maxi López. Icardi: “I am a person who does what I want. I do not care about the opinion of others. I live my life.”
Plus: the way it is
Argentina: Model Tamara Alves, publicising her debut TV show Crazy about Football, three years after she defended leaving Independiente’s Fabian Assman for Racing’s Patricio Toranzo: “I don’t care if people call me a boothanger. I don’t go looking for footballers. It’s just the way life is.”
