Man of the week
Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa – bringing change to Fifa with a run at the presidency. Giving his campaign an edge: his family’s no-nonsense politics, including 2011’s alleged torture of pro-democracy footballers, and June’s jailing of opposition leader Ali Salman – sentenced to four years for “insulting an official body”. He denies wrongdoing.
• Sheikh Salman’s previous position on Fifa’s need for reform, as set out at April’s Asian confederation congress in an address to Sepp: “Dear President, rest assured the Asian football family stands firmly behind you.” Sepp praised the event’s “total transparency”.
And elsewhere last week
• Best learning curve – 2012: Sepp visits Nepal and tells FA president Ganesh Thapa: “I’m sure Nepal can go further in football, and Fifa is helping.” 2015: Five Nepal players arrested on bribery charges; Thapa accused of financial irregularities. All deny wrongdoing.
• Most upbeat: Thailand FA head Worawi Makudi – banned for 90 days for ethics breaches and subject to a suspended 16-month jail term for falsifying documents – feeling positive about a fifth term. “Yes I’m standing. I’m guilty of nothing.”
• Best intervention: Italy’s FA head Carlo Tavecchio – convicted five times since 1970 for forgery, tax evasion and abuse of office – backing Uefa’s Michel Platini with a pledge of “respect and solidarity”.
• And the best sub-plot: Italian financial police raiding league and club offices as part of an inquiry into alleged irregularities over the sale of TV broadcasting rights. Rights agency Infront – run by Sepp’s nephew Philippe Blatter – deny wrongdoing.
Other news: clarification of the week
Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick: clarifying to fans why the club paid majority shareholder Stan Kroenke’s firm £3m: “The fees were advisory … You cannot codify how many times we have taken advice or how we have taken it. I will make no attempt to do so.”
Sticklers of the week
Italy’s referees’ association: acting after a referee abandoned an U14 game on humanitarian grounds with the score 31-0 after 60 minutes. The official was suspended for “an incorrect application of the rules”. Regional head Antonio Aureliano: “He needs to pause and reflect.”
One to watch
Germany: Paderborn president Wilfried Finke, hiring Stefan Effenberg as head coach after identifying “real chemistry.” Effenberg’s previous best president chemistry – 2000 at Bayern: hitting back after Franz Beckenbauer criticised him for partying in cowboy boots and lederhosen. “Nobody tells me how I should present myself in public. I will shit on anybody who tries.”
Drawing a line
Romania: Astra coach Marius Sumudica, calling time after jailed billionaire owner and hobbyist elephant hunter Ioan Niculae cut off funds for wages, kit and food. “The players have had it, me too. I have to ask my wife for petrol money. It’s tragic. Without money, there is no football.”
Showboat news
Egypt, July 2015: Al Ahly teenager Ramadan Sobhi says sorry to Zamalek for “disrespectful” showboating – standing on the ball with both feet – which provoked Zamalek’s captain to kick him. “I apologise for it. Zamalek are a great club and I respect them.” October 2015: Does it again against Zamalek, prompting a 22-man plus coaches brawl.
Also uneasy
Brazil: Sertãozinho v Flamengo de Guarulhos U20s – ending 6-5 on red cards after a set-to involving players, fans and ballboys. Sertãozinho told Globo they regretted it, but were “provoked throughout, which engendered a heavy mood”.
Most let down
Peruvian shamen: cursing Chile’s Alexis Sánchez before their World Cup qualifier by wafting a traditional bad luck tortoise over his replica Sánchez shirt while “witches bit the legs of a Sánchez doll”. Sánchez scored twice as Chile won 4-3.
Plus: warning of the week
Brazil: New Ceará president Robinson de Castro pledging “new credibility”, a fortnight after official mascot Grandpa was seen tearing his head off in anger after a disallowed goal. In 2012 Grandpa was banned for two games for “a series of obscene gestures” at Ferroviário fans, with media linking it to a 2009 flare-up when Ferroviário’s mascot Jubaitola “tried to hump Grandpa” on the pitch. FA: “Grandpa will miss the games against Tiradentes and Guarani Juazeiro.”
