Governing Bodies
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: No decision yet by FIFA over World Cup play-off
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said no decision has yet been made regarding the 2022 World Cup qualifiers involving Russia in light of Vladimir Putin launching an invasion of Ukraine.
Infantino insisted they will “continue to monitor the situation” and make an update soon once the FIFA Bureau, who is in charge of these matters, has made a decision.
Earlier in the day, Czech Republic, Poland and Sweden released a joint statement openly opposing travel to Russia for the World Cup qualifiers next month.
Russia is set to host Poland on March 24 and, if Russia wins, they will meet either Sweden or Czech Republic in Russia on March 29.
For Ukraine, they are scheduled to travel to Scotland for a match on March 24.
Meanwhile, UEFA are expected to strip Russia of the Champions League final.
The FIFA President cited that he has hope the situation can be resolved soon.
“We will look into it as a matter of urgency,” Infantino said at a press conference.
“The first match is one month from now.
“We hope this whole situation will be solved before then – well before then, as soon as possible, and we want to strongly believe in that.”
Infantino used the platform to condemn President Putin’s actions and call for all parties involved in the crisis to find a peaceful resolution.
“FIFA express hope for a rapid cessation of hostilities and for peace in Ukraine,” he said.
“We condemn the use of force by Russia in Ukraine and any type of violence.
“Violence is never the solution.
“We call on all parties to restore peace through constructive dialogue.
“Of course, FIFA continues to express solidarity to the people affected by this conflict.”
Reflection on the crisis led Infantino to reaffirm his belief that the sport is for “bringing people together” and that “football is the people’s sport”.
On a separate matter, the FIFA Council choose to ban the football federations of Kenya and Zimbabwe for Government interference.
-insidethegames
FIFA has sanctioned two lower division clubs in Kenya and Vietnam for match manipulation, relegating them to the third tier, world soccer’s governing body said on Friday.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found Kenyan side Muhoroni Youth guilty of “activities related to the manipulation of football matches and competitions”, expelling the club from the second-tier National Super League.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has further ordered the relegation of the Muhoroni Youth senior team to the Football Kenya Federation Division One League (third tier) ahead of next season,” FIFA said.
Vietnamese club Phu Tho was also found guilty of match manipulation. The club’s senior team was expelled from the Vietnamese Football League Second Division and relegated to the third division.
FIFA said the clubs had been notified and can appeal the decision.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The president of the Confédération of African Football, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has announced five new CAF Vice Presidents. They are:
- CAF First Vice President: Mr Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco)
- CAF Second Vice President: Mr Kurt Okraku (Ghana)
- CAF Third Vice President: Mr Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
- CAF Fourth Vice President: Ms Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- CAF Fifth Vice President: Mr Feizal Sidat (Mozambique)
In addition, the CAF President has co-opted Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of Fédération Ivoirienne de football, into the CAF Executive Committee.
The CAF Executive Committee also approved the names to fill vacant positions on several CAF Committees.
Organising Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN)
- President: Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
CAF Technical and Development Committee
- President: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
- Vice President: Malouche Belhassen (Tunisia)
CAF Medical Committee:
- President: Dr. Mohammed Bouya (Mauritania)
- Vice President: Dr. Thulani Ngwenya (South Africa)
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Governing Bodies
Nigeria becoming an epicentre of global badminton as Francis Orbih enters the Badminton World Federation Council
Laurels on the courts and now glory in the boardroom sums up the mark that badminton is making in Nigeria.
The President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has been elected as a council member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The election took place during the BWF Annual General Meeting on Saturday in Xiamen, China.
Orbih emerged victorious over top contenders from other African countries.
He will join Cameroon’s Odette Assembe Engoulou on the council, while Chipo Zumburani (Zimbabwe) and Hadia ElSaid (Egypt) missed out.
An elated Orbih expressed his gratitude to fellow badminton presidents across the globe for their trust and support.
He said, “I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by my peers across the badminton world.
“I look forward to quality representation, driving development initiatives, and strengthening badminton’s global reach over the next four years.”
Orbih also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly the National Sports Commission (NSC), which he said played a significant role in his successful bid.
“The Chairman and the Director General of the NSC monitored the entire process. I’m grateful for their involvement and confident Nigeria will benefit from this,” he stated.
He further appreciated the BFN board members and the Nigerian badminton community for their prayers and continued belief in his leadership.
“From the day I declared my intentions, the board members of BFN have been supportive, and I promise not to disappoint them,” Orbih concluded.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Financial rainfall awaits Nigeria’s Flamingos for every goal scored in Algeria
- NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL2 days ago
It will be the best of the best as Ogun State fine-tunes operations for the 22nd National Sports Festival
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Former WAFU President, Ogufere mourns Christian Chukwu
- DIPLOMACY5 days ago
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI meets with members of the Sahel States Alliance
- U-20 FOOTBALL4 days ago
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles set to begin 8th African title chase
- CAF Champions League1 week ago
Al Ahly, Sundowns brace for Cairo showdown with final spot on the line
- U-20 FOOTBALL7 days ago
African youth stars chase glory as U-20 AFCON kicks off in Egypt today
- Badminton1 week ago
It’s Nigeria again as Eniola Bolaji wins the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award