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FIFA COUNCIL AVOID CONTACTS, HOLD MEETING BY VIDEO CONFERENCE OVER CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

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FIFA has confirmed it will conduct its next Council meeting via a video conference, citing the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and environmental concerns.

The FIFA Council meeting had originally been scheduled to take place in Asuncion in Paraguay on March 20.

A letter sent to Council members by FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura claimed concerns had been expressed by some members and one confederation about holding the event in Paraguay.

“Given the long travel involved for some Council members going to Asuncion, FIFA was asked by several members to move the location of the meeting, and by one confederation, whether it might be possible to hold it by videoconference,” Samoura wrote.

“This could have certain benefits, in terms of cost efficiency, environmental considerations, and also given the widespread concerns which currently exist regarding international travel on account of the spread of the coronavirus.

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“The agenda of the meeting is relatively light, which means this meeting could be conducted in a time and cost-efficient manner via teleconference.”

Samoura added that members can join the meeting via their confederation’s headquarters or travel to the FIFA headquarters, with travel costs covered.

The decision was criticised by South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) President Alejandro Dominguez.

Dominguez claimed the decision to cancel the Council meeting in Asuncion amounted to “discrimination” and a “clear abuse of power” in a letter seen by Brazilian media Globo.

The CONMEBOL chief also rejected coronavirus as a reason for the Council meeting to be conducted via a teleconference.

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“So far, the different international public health agencies have not detected any cases of contagion due to this disease in South America, even less in Paraguay, a fact that is unfortunately distant from the reality of other continents,” Dominguez said.

“I believe that mentioning the coronavirus as a factor for not holding the meeting in Paraguay lacks consistent and rigorous foundations proper to an organization that governs the destinies of international football.”

Dominguez also highlighted how distance had not previously been cited as a concern for recent Council meetings in Miami, Shanghai and Moscow.

The decision was defended by Samoura, who expressed a hope that despite an “understandable initial disappointment” it would be accepted.

The move comes shortly after the UEFA Executive Committee and the CONMEBOL Council signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to replace the agreement that was originally put in place in 2012.

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The MoU was claimed to provide assistance and support between UEFA and CONMEBOL and their respective Member Associations in establishing and implementing projects and activities relating to things such as education, training, technical development and refereeing, as well as the promotion and development of grassroots, youth and women’s football.

Other aspects include the organisation of football competitions for men, women and youth, as well as futsal; marketing, legal and social responsibility matters; safety and security; and the promotion of ethical and good governance principles in football.

 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Ahead of Nigeria-Libya match: Some kidnapped journalists regain freedom

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An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.

This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the  Anambra and Imo states axis.

”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.

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Klopp becomes Red Bull global soccer chief in first job after Liverpool

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Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - May 19, 2024 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp reacts as he gives a speech after his last match as Liverpool manager REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

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Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

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Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters

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Cape Verdean, Delgado Rocha, to take charge of Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

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Referee Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine of Cape Verde

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.

He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.

Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.

Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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