With "only a month to go" before Europe elects its representatives on FIFA’s ruling council, there is "still no word as to whether under-fire Russian World Cup supremo Vitaly Mutko will be eligible to join the all-powerful, decision-making body." UEFA sources said that no ruling "has yet been declared by FIFA" as to whether Mutko, who is among the candidates for five European vacancies on the FIFA Council despite his alleged role in Russia’s "damning doping scandal," is eligible to stand (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 3/8).
Zimbabwe FA Chair Phillip Chiyangwa "escalated his war of words" with the Confederation of African Football by "threatening legal action" against both its president and secretary general. Chiyangwa "is unhappy that a birthday party he hosted" in Harare on Feb. 23 has become a matter to be discussed by CAF's Exec Committee next week. Chiyangwa: "They shouldn't dare me with silly innuendos -- making nefarious allegations" (BBC, 3/8).
A Spanish judge will investigate the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) "for improper use" of a subsidy it received from the country's Superior Sports Council (CSD) in '10. The federation and current President Ángel María Villar "will be investigated for breach of trust, undue appropriation and embezzlement" of €1.2M in public funding (EFE, 3/7).
