Gianni Infantino has declared €500,000 ($542,000) "in financial backing from UEFA for his FIFA presidential campaign."
Infantino, UEFA's general secretary, "disclosed on his campaign website that the funding was approved by the European governing body in October." Infantino says €500,000 was "set aside ... essentially to cover the cost of my travels around the world and to provide some logistical support" during the campaign (AP, 1/21). ... Unrest "is growing among clubs after the Scottish Professional Football League announced a plan to introduce facial recognition technology into stadiums."
Representatives of all 42 clubs "were told of the proposals." But several clubs said that they believe the scheme "is over the top and too expensive."
They are also "angry over the lack of consultation on the matter" (BBC, 1/21). ... Gareth Bale’s agent "has called for an investigation" after a confidential document relating to his client’s world record £85M move to Real Madrid from Tottenham was leaked.
The six-page document, released by the website Football Leaks and widely published in Spain, "set out details of the full value of the deal, which has always been disputed" (London GUARDIAN, 1/21). ... Arsène Wenger "is ready to discuss doping in football with the British authorities but the Arsenal manager does not believe English clubs indulge in it."
UK Anti-Doping CEO Nicole Sapstead said on Wednesday that she "would like to interact with Wenger, who has been an outspoken advocate of a stronger anti-doping regime and state-of-the-art testing in the game." Wenger:
"I don't especially think I can do more than the people who are responsible (for tackling the issue), but if they think they need to talk to me I am available" (REUTERS, 1/21).
IN DENIAL: Bayern Munich has "denied rumours" it reported Real Madrid to FIFA ahead of the Spanish side receiving a transfer ban for illegally registering youth players to the club. Jose Carlos Menzel of AS quoted Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge speaking about the rumors, after reports suggested it was a complaint from the Bundesliga champions that "forced the disciplinary action by the world governing body." Rummenigge: "Bayern have nothing to do with this. This rumor is simply not true. As is well known, the relationship between the two clubs is very good" (BLEACHER REPORT, 1/20).
