James M. Dorsey

New AFC Boss: The Clock is Ticking for Reform Agenda

New AFC Boss: The Clock is Ticking for Reform Agenda

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sheikh Salman Al Khalifa immediately following his election last week pledged that he will pursue reform vigorously. Let us see.

 James M. Dorsey

Top International Footballers Call for Action Against Israel

Top International Footballers Call for Action Against Israel

JAMES M. DORSEY: Four young Palestinian footballers were killed in a bombing during Israel’s assault on Gaza. Enough is enough, say some top footballers.

 James M. Dorsey

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

JAMES M. DORSEY: The financial management of the Asian Football Confederation during Mohammed bin Hammam’s reign is under investigation

 James M. Dorsey

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is following in the footsteps of deposed autocrats by associating himself with one of Iran’s greatest passions: soccer.

 James M. Dorsey

World Cup Hosts Qatar, Russia Back Under the Spotlight

World Cup Hosts Qatar, Russia Back Under the Spotlight

JAMES M. DORSEY: Three major investigations into corruption in global soccer are putting the credibility of major soccer associations and World Cup 2022 host Qatar to the test.

 James M. Dorsey

FIFA Buys Time with Bin Hammam Suspension

FIFA Buys Time with Bin Hammam Suspension

JAMES M. DORSEY: FIFA’s investigation of Mr. Bin Hammam is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg, and will inevitably broaden to the Qatari World Cup bid itself.

 James M. Dorsey

Court Questions FIFA Integrity over Hammam Proceedings

Court Questions FIFA Integrity over Hammam Proceedings

JAMES M. DORSEY: If Mr. Bin Hammam would be hard pressed to portray the ruling as evidence of his innocence, it is in many ways equally condemning of FIFA.

 James M. Dorsey

FIFA Corruption Probe Set to Examine Qatar Bid

FIFA Corruption Probe Set to Examine Qatar Bid

JAMES M. DORSEY: The recently announced investigation by FIFA into allegations of past corruption will inevitably put Qatar 2022 in the spotlight again.

 Editor, MEP

Qatar 2022: Villaggio Tragedy Adds to Critic Arsenal

Qatar 2022: Villaggio Tragedy Adds to Critic Arsenal

JAMES DORSEY: Critics are asserting Qatari building standards are shoddy and cast doubt on the safety standards of stadiums…

 James M. Dorsey

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Middle East looms large as FIFA’s executive committee meets against the backdrop of a call for sweeping change.

 Common Ground News Service

Repeal of Soccer Hijab Ban: ‘A Triumph’

Repeal of Soccer Hijab Ban: ‘A Triumph’

JENS JUUL PETERSEN, CGNEWS: It took a high profile campaign but the recently announced repeal of the hijab ban is wonderful news.

 James M. Dorsey

A Storm Brewing: Bahrain Sheikh Seeks Top AFC Job

A Storm Brewing: Bahrain Sheikh Seeks Top AFC Job

JAMES M. DORSEY: Campaigning is under way for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation. The position is never far from controversy.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar Makes Labour Rights Commitments, Yields to World Cup Pressure

Qatar Makes Labour Rights Commitments, Yields to World Cup Pressure

JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar has vowed to ensure that contractors involved in preparations for the 2022 World Cup will adhere to international labour laws

 James M. Dorsey

Blatter U-Turn Sees Door Closed on FIFA Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Win

Blatter U-Turn Sees Door Closed on FIFA Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Win

JAMES M. DORSEY: Sepp Blatter, a month after opening the door to an investigation of the Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid, has declared “case closed”.

 James M. Dorsey

Worrying Times: FIFA Opens Door to Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Bid

Worrying Times: FIFA Opens Door to Investigation of Qatar’s World Cup Bid

JAMES M. DORSEY: In a worrying development for Qatar, the FIFA president has opened the door to a possible investigation into its successful World Cup bid.

 James Mullan

News Analysis: Emirates and FIFA To Split?

News Analysis: Emirates and FIFA To Split?

Emirates Airline is one of the top sponsors of the football World Cup. But the less than sure-footed management of the beautiful game by FIFA means the two parties may be about to part company.

 James M. Dorsey

Hammam Anticipates Ban; Possible Boycott

Hammam Anticipates Ban; Possible Boycott

JAMES M. DORSEY: 10 of the body’s 24 committee members, including Mr. Blatter, have been accused in the past 9 months of corruption or improper behaviour.

 James M. Dorsey

British Parliament Lashes Out At FIFA Handing of Qatari Bribery Claims

British Parliament Lashes Out At FIFA Handing of Qatari Bribery Claims

JAMES M. DORSEY: The UK parliamentary call for an independent investigation of the alleged Qatari bribery follows a similar call by the German FA.

 Steve Royston

FIFA Needs a “Day of Rage” to Restore Faith

FIFA Needs a “Day of Rage” to Restore Faith

STEVE ROYSTON: As his formerly loyal colleagues turn on each other like rats in a cage, and Blatter lectures us like Hosni Mubarak, FIFA needs a day of rage.

 James M. Dorsey

Strauss-Kahn Arrest puts European control of IMF at risk

Strauss-Kahn Arrest puts European control of IMF at risk

JAMES M. DORSEY: Emerging markets are demanding that the heads of major international institutions be chosen on the basis of merit…