FIFA - The African Mirror

Apr

2021

A tough decision for Palestinian football

URI LEVY “IT is a dream coming true,” said Rami Hamadeh about a call-up that turned into a nightmare. “It is a significant moment for me, and I am so excited to get my spot back in Palestine’s goal. It is where I belong.” Hamadeh’s call-up for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia was significant because Palestinians, who are citizens of Israel, are excluded from the national team when they play in Israeli leagues. It’s an unwritten policy that the Palestine Football Association (PFA) put in place as such call-ups might normalise Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. …

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Soccer-Rapinoe questions her inclusion in FIFA team of year

LGBT+

WOMEN’S World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe has said her inclusion in FIFA’s “Women’s World11” team of the year despite playing so little is a sign that the women’s game needs more visibility and exposure. Rapinoe, who was named best player at the 2019 World Cup and finished top scorer, said she appreciated being included in the team of the year but pointed out she had not played since March when the coronavirus pandemic disrupted global sport. The winger said on Twitter she appreciated being chosen by her fellow professionals but other players deserved more recognition this year. “We have so…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Omari takes over CAF reigns after FIFA bans African football president for five years

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER CONSTANT Selemani Omari has taken over as interim president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the organisation's president Ahmad Ahmad was banned by FIFA for five years for, among others, misappropriation of funds and several ethical violations. In a statement, CAF said it has taken note of the FIFA decision and announced that Omari, who has been acting president, will continue in that role. "The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), which is concerned about the reputational consequences of this long procedure, maintains the schedule of all its activities and programs," the statement said. Ahmad, who…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Haiti’s football boss banned for life by FIFA for sexual abuse

SPORT

FIFA has banned Haiti's football federation president Yves Jean-Bart for life after finding him guilty of sexually harassing and abusing multiple female players, including minors, global soccer's governing body has announced. FIFA provisionally suspended Jean-Bart in May while it investigated multiple allegations against him by victims, their friends and family members detailing how he coerced girls into sex by threatening they would lose their places in national team programmes. Jean-Bart has denied the allegations. "The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Yves Jean-Bart... guilty of having abused his position and sexually harassed and abused various female players,…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Ex-FIFA boss guilty of falsifying documents and Al-Khelaifi eared in TV rights case

NEWS

THE chairman of Qatar-based media group BeIN Sports and president of French soccer club Paris St Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, was cleared in a case over the awarding of television rights for the World Cup, the Swiss Federal Criminal Court said on Friday. Nasser Al-Khelaifi. PIcture: Wikimedia Commons Al-Khelaifi had been accused of inciting former FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke to commit aggravated criminal mismanagement. The trial was not connected to Al-Khelaifi's role at Paris St Germain. Valcke was cleared of accepting bribes and criminal mismanagement but was given a suspended fine of 24,000 Swiss francs ($26,500) for the lesser offence…