The DR Congo football team boycotted its training session on Friday, "just three days before" its opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations. The players are "protesting over reduced bonus payments for the finals in Gabon" as well as payments owed from '15. Midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu said, "This has been happening for years and years. We always prepare well but there is always a problem with bonuses." The Leopards reached the semifinal at the Nations Cup two years ago, but the players "insist they have yet to receive their financial rewards for the achievement" (BBC, 1/14).
Kedah-born footballer Mohd Faiz Subri received a 20,000 ringgit ($4,480) cash incentive from the Kedah FA for "his historic achievement" in winning the FIFA Puskas Award 2016 last week. KFA President Ahmad Bashah said that the state government would "also look into ways to secure a discounted house for Faiz." Faiz "made history when he became the first ever Malaysian and Asian to clinch the prestigious award" (NEW STRAITS TIMES, 1/15).
An "independent review into child sex abuse in Scottish football is likely to begin next month," according to the Scottish FA. The SFA said that it expected a chair to be appointed in February and work would begin "immediately." It added that it had "already held meetings with survivors" to "shape and influence" the terms of reference. The review was set up after several former players revealed they were "abused by people in authority" (BBC, 1/13).
A "denial" from Brasileiro side Chapecoense "served to confirm what had been reported by Brazilian media: the club is negotiating with movie producers about a film about the tragic plane crash in November." The club tweeted that it has not reached an agreement with Netflix, saying that it has "received a number of proposals, but has not made a decision" (OLÉ, 1/12).
